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With an unexpected announcement, a key primary candidates in the Irish race for president has left the contest, dramatically altering the election dynamics.

Sudden Exit Transforms Campaign Landscape

The party's presidential hopeful stepped down on Sunday night following reports about an unpaid debt to a previous occupant, converting the contest into an volatile head-to-head battle between a centre-right former government minister and an autonomous progressive parliamentarian.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a political novice who was parachuted into the election after careers in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it was revealed he had failed to return a overpaid rent of 3,300 euros when he was a property owner about 16 years ago, during a period of financial difficulty.

"I made a mistake that was inconsistent with who I am and the principles I uphold. Corrective actions are underway," he said. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the continuing election battle on the health of my family and friends.

"After evaluating everything, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with immediate action and return to the arms of my family."

Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders

The most dramatic event in a political contest in living memory reduced the field to one candidate, a past government official who is campaigning for the ruling centre-right party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an vocal supporter of Palestinian rights who is supported by Sinn Féin and left-leaning minor parties.

Problem for Leader

This departure also triggered a crisis for the taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, who had put his reputation on the line by selecting an inexperienced hopeful over the reservations of fellow members.

The leader stated Gavin did not want to "bring controversy" to the office of president and was right to withdraw. "Jim has accepted that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Campaign Struggles

Despite a reputation for skill and accomplishments in enterprise and sports – under his leadership the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through missteps that left him trailing in an opinion poll even ahead of the debt news.

Fianna Fáil figures who had opposed selecting the candidate said the situation was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "consequences" – a implied threat to the leader.

Election Rules

The candidate's name may remain on the ballot in the election on 24 October, which will finish the long service of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of Gavin's exit gave Connolly 32% support and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with Gavin on 15%.

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

Likely Support Redistribution

It was expected that should Gavin be removed, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and vice versa, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would attain the presidency for the allied parties.

Role of the Presidency

The presidency is a largely symbolic post but the current and former presidents transformed it into a stage for international matters.

Final Contenders

The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. Connolly has attacked neoliberal economics and said the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian people. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and likened Germany's increased defence spending to the pre-war era, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has encountered examination over her record as a minister in cabinets that oversaw a accommodation problem. As a Protestant from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been questioned about her inability to speak Irish but stated her faith tradition could assist in gaining unionist community in a reunified nation.