DUBLIN, Ireland: Táoiseach Micheál Martin has said he intends to remain at the helm of Fianna Fáil, despite the turmoil triggered by the dramatic withdrawal of the party's presidential candidate, Jim Gavin.

Speaking after Gavin abruptly exited the race late on October 5, Martin acknowledged responsibility for backing the former Dublin football manager, whose candidacy has drawn internal criticism and public scrutiny.

"I take responsibility for that," Martin said on RTÉ's Six One, adding that "many, many members of the party are hurting out there because of what has transpired." He described the episode as "a tough day for the party."

Gavin's bombshell decision to drop out followed days of controversy over claims he owed a former tenant more than 3,000 euros in overpaid rent from a property that had not been correctly registered. The Irish Independent first reported the allegations, which date back 16 years.

Hours after the story broke, Gavin released a statement admitting he had "made a mistake" and taking steps to address it. He said the issue was "not in keeping with my character or the standards I set for myself."

Deputy party leader Jack Chambers later said a "clear contradiction" emerged between Gavin's initial denial of any issue on October 3 and documentation submitted by the former tenant to the party the following day. Despite this, Fianna Fáil allowed Gavin to appear in a televised debate on RTÉ's The Week In Politics on October 5, where he avoided confirming the claim and said he was still gathering information.

That timeline has prompted sharp criticism of the party's vetting process and handling of the controversy, which one senior Fianna Fáil figure described as a "complete shambles."

Martin said the party had carried out "comprehensive due diligence" and was aware of Gavin's background as a landlord, but not of the rent dispute. He said Gavin had initially told the party there was "absolutely not" any issue with a tenant.

Pressed on whether the candidate misled the party, Martin replied: "I think what happened here was there was an issue in his life back around 2009. He clearly did not deal with it at that time or since — and probably buried it somewhere in the recesses of his mind."

The fallout comes as polls showed Gavin struggling to gain traction. A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks survey released over the weekend placed him last, with 15 percent, trailing left-wing independent Catherine Connolly (32 percent) and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys (23 percent).

Despite withdrawing from the race, Gavin's name will remain on the ballot, prolonging Fianna Fáil's latest political headache as Martin vows to steady the party's leadership.