Fianna Fail Gavin a real nightmare

ONE thing we can say about the drama of the Presidential Election is Irish politics is never dull.

- JOFN KIERANS

Catherine Connolly must be rubbing her hands in delight at the prospect of becoming head of State after Jim Gavin decided to quit over €3,300 he never paid back to a former tenant.

There is nothing worse than the whiff of scandal to ruin a political career and in the former Dublin GAA manager's case, destroyed before it ever really got started.

On paper the nomination of Mr Gavin as Fianna Fail’s election candidate seemed a masterstroke by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and his deputy, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers.

But it has proved to be a disaster. It is easy to blame Mr Gavin himself but surely those who interviewed him would have realised the former Army officer lacked the personality or charisma needed.

He struggled to interact with people and worse still his TV performances were woeful.

But in fairness to the former Dublin manager, Mr Gavin was not the type of individual who did a whole lot of media. He tended to shy away from newspaper, television or radio interviews.

There is no doubt he was a brilliant manager and he has done terrific public service saving Gaelic football as we know it by bringing in the new rules.

His withdrawal from the presidential race is the biggest political shock in years and the fallout will be widespread.

Unfortunately presidential campaigns are not like other elections and bring about a whole new level of scrutiny.

There is no doubt Jim Gavin made a mistake 16 years ago and should have repaid the couple who mistakenly overpaid him.