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In a stunning development, a key main hopefuls in Ireland's presidential election has quit the race, reshaping the election dynamics.

Withdrawal Announcement Shakes Up Political Contest

The party's presidential hopeful stepped down on Sunday night following reports about an unpaid debt to a past renter, converting the contest into an volatile direct competition between a centre-right ex-minister and an autonomous progressive legislator.

Gavin, 54, a political novice who was parachuted into the campaign after careers in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it emerged he had failed to return a excess rental payment of €3,300 when he was a landlord about in the mid-2000s, during a period of monetary strain.

"I made a mistake that was contrary to who I am and the standards I set myself. I am currently resolving the issue," he declared. "After careful consideration, concerning the influence of the continuing election battle on the welfare of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I've chosen to exit from the campaign for president with immediate action and return to the arms of my family."

Race Narrowed to Primary Hopefuls

The most dramatic event in a presidential campaign in living memory narrowed the contest to one candidate, a ex-minister who is running for the incumbent center-right Fine Gael party, and Catherine Connolly, an frank pro-Palestinian voice who is backed by a political party and left-leaning minor parties.

Problem for Leader

Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the leader of Fianna Fáil, the party chief, who had staked his authority by choosing an inexperienced hopeful over the doubts of fellow members.

Martin said the candidate wished to avoid "cause dispute" to the office of president and was justified in leaving. "He acknowledged that he committed a mistake in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Election Challenges

Despite a reputation for competence and success in business and sport – Gavin had steered Dublin's Gaelic football team to five consecutive championship victories – his election effort faltered through missteps that caused him to fall behind in an opinion poll even prior to the financial revelation.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had objected to picking Gavin said the fiasco was a "significant mistake" that would have "ramifications" – a barely concealed caution to Martin.

Ballot Process

Gavin's name may stay on the voting paper in the poll taking place in late October, which will end the 14-year tenure of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a centrist establishment candidate and an autonomous progressive. A poll taken before Gavin's exit gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and 23 percent for Humphreys, with the former candidate at 15 percent.

As per election guidelines, voters select candidates in order of preference. Should no contender surpass a majority in round one, the candidate with the least primary selections is excluded and their support is passed to the following option.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Observers anticipated that if Gavin was eliminated, a majority of his ballots would transfer to Humphreys, and the other way around, increasing the likelihood that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the allied parties.

Presidential Duties

The presidency is a mostly representative role but Higgins and his predecessors made it a stage for international matters.

Final Contenders

The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that heritage. She has criticized free-market policies and stated the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian people. Connolly has alleged the alliance of warmongering and likened the country's raised military budget to the pre-war era, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

The 62-year-old Humphreys, has faced scrutiny over her record as a minister in governments that presided over a housing crisis. A Presbyterian from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been criticised over her lack of Irish language skills but stated her Protestant heritage could aid in securing Northern Ireland's unionists in a reunified nation.