Some Fianna Fáil TDs believe the review into its disastrous Presidential Election “could be fatal” for Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers, a political journalist has said. 

In the October poll, the Taoiseach’s party scored a derisory 7% of the vote after its candidate Jim Gavin dropped out. 

The former GAA manager admitted he owed a tenant €3,300, something he insisted was “not in keeping with my character”. 

The report into the election is expected to be published this week, following months of painstaking analysis. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Louise Burne said it would be better to release it as soon as possible, or it will only “fester” over Christmas. 

“I think it'd be wiser for it to be released tomorrow so that Micheál Martin is at least around for part Wednesday to speak to his TDs and Senators,” she explained. 

“But, you know, my idea of wisdom might be a completely different idea to Fianna Fáil's idea of wisdom.”

Mr Martin shaking hands with Mr Gavin. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie.

The report will answer exactly who knew what and when about Mr Gavin’s tenant. 

It is understood that the party was not completely in the dark about the issue. 

“Jack Chambers, who was the Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil and was also the Director of Elections for the Presidential Election, was contacted by a member of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party on the 8th of September via WhatsApp message,” Ms Burne said. 

“Now, our understanding of it is that it was actually said to Jack Chambers that that could be in relation to an unrepaid deposit, which is the rumour that was going around at that time regarding Jim Gavin that was passed on to Jack Chambers by a member of the Parliamentary Party.

“Jack Chambers acknowledged receipt of that. 

“What we don't know, I suppose, is in what manner did he pass that on? Was the Taoiseach made aware?” 

Former Irish presidential candidate, Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin. Picture by: Conor O'Mearain / Alamy.

It is also understood that Mr Martin’s Chief of Staff, Deirdre Gillane, was informed there was some kind of issue. 

“Fianna Fáil have actually confirmed that there was a phone call that took place with Ms Gulland on the 5th of September,” Ms Brune said. 

“They said it was non-specific, they said it was speculative. 

“So, it's a question of did they know that there was an issue, but not the issue? And what kind of research and digging was done from there?” 

Micheál Martin looks on as Catherine Connolly is declared President-Elect of Ireland. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie. 25/10/2025

Ms Burne continued there is not expected to be a “smoking gun” in the report and no single culprit for the calamity. 

“I think this is the concern amongst a lot of members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, is that that blame is going to be passed [around],” she said. 

“And [that] people will say, ‘Well, we asked him and he said no.’

“And I think the question that a lot of people I've been speaking to is, well, what happened next? What happened when these concerns were raised? 

“What happens when there was any kind of suggestion that there may have been an issue? Did you just ask Jim Gavin and take his word for it? Or did you do a little bit more digging?”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin on his way into Government Buildings for a cabinet meeting. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Given the anger within the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party, Ms Burne said it could very well lead to resignations from the Government. 

“I think it's all up in the air. There is certainly a bloodlust within Fianna Fáil and that bloodlust has existed since October when Jim Gavin stood down out of the race,” she said. 

“I was speaking to members of Fianna Fáil yesterday and they were reading the newspapers and they had read the Irish Examiner story on Thursday 

about Jack Chambers and a lot of them were saying, ‘This could be fatal - not only to Jack Chambers but to Micheál Martin.”

“A lot of them don't see Jack Chambers where they would have seen him before becoming the next leader of Fianna Fáil. 

“They don't see that anymore but again, there's a lot of questions about Micheál Martin's leadership of Fianna Fáil.”

Following Mr Gavin's decision to drop out of the election, An Taoiseach told The Pat Kenny Show that he was “not responsible for everything that unfolded”.