Deputy O'Connor says intense pressure and poor judgement led to Jim Gavin's nomination and subsequent withdrawal and he is now calling for accountability. In a post on X he says the party leadership made a “serious miscalculation” by not listening to members. Controversy over a rental dispute 16 years ago prompted Jim Gavin's withdrawal. However, former Fianna Fáil minister Éamon Ă“ CuĂv says there were already difficulties: "Jim Gavin's candidacy wasn't going well, and it goes back to a fatal flaw.