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With an unexpected announcement, one of the leading candidates in the Irish election for president has quit the campaign, reshaping the entire competition.

Sudden Exit Shakes Up Campaign Landscape

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful stepped down on Sunday night following reports about an outstanding payment to a previous occupant, converting the contest into an volatile two-horse race between a moderate right former government minister and an autonomous progressive legislator.

Gavin, 54, a political novice who entered the election after work in athletics, flying and armed forces, stepped aside after it was revealed he had not repaid a overpaid rent of 3,300 euros when he was a landlord about 16 years ago, during a period of economic hardship.

"It was my fault that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself. I am currently resolving the issue," he declared. "Reflecting deeply, concerning the influence of the ongoing campaign on the health of my loved ones and companions.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family."

Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls

The most dramatic event in a presidential campaign in modern times limited the options to one candidate, a ex-minister who is campaigning for the ruling centre-right political party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an outspoken pro-Palestinian voice who is supported by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties.

Problem for Leader

This departure also created turmoil for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had risked his standing by selecting an unproven contender over the skepticism of fellow members.

Martin said it was about not wanting to "cause dispute" to the presidency and was justified in leaving. "He acknowledged that he committed a mistake in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days."

Political Difficulties

Even with a track record of competence and success in commerce and athletics – Gavin had steered the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his election effort faltered through missteps that put him at a disadvantage in an opinion poll even ahead of the debt news.

Fianna Fáil figures who had opposed selecting Gavin said the situation was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "ramifications" – a thinly veiled warning to Martin.

Election Rules

Gavin's name may remain on the ballot in the election on 24 October, which will finish the long service of Michael D Higgins, but the electorate now confronts a binary choice between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of his departure gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and Humphreys 23%, with the former candidate at 15 percent.

As per election guidelines, voters select hopefuls by ranked choice. Should no contender surpass half the votes initially, the hopeful with the fewest primary selections is removed and their votes are transferred to the next preference.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Observers anticipated that should Gavin be removed, the bulk of his support would transfer to Humphreys, and the other way around, boosting the chance that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Function of the President

This office is a primarily ceremonial position but Higgins and his predecessors made it a stage for international matters.

Surviving Hopefuls

Connolly, 68, from Galway, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that tradition. Connolly has attacked capitalist systems and remarked Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the people of Palestine. Connolly has alleged the alliance of warmongering and compared Germany's increased defence spending to the thirties, when the Nazi leader built up military forces.

The 62-year-old Humphreys, has faced scrutiny over her time in office in cabinets that oversaw a housing crisis. Being a member of that faith from the northern county, she has also been questioned about her lack of Irish language skills but stated her faith tradition could help win over unionist community in a reunified nation.