It’s the political mess Fianna Fáil can’t escape. Months after Jim Gavin’s presidential bid collapsed in spectacular fashion, the party is finally preparing to publish its long-awaited internal review — and nerves are jangling. 

Gavin was meant to be a safe choice. A proven winner. A figure above party politics. Instead, a controversy dating back to 2009 detonated his campaign almost overnight, forcing a humiliating withdrawal and leaving Fianna Fáil badly bruised. 

Now, as leaks swirl about when decisions were made, who knew what — and how much money was spent — the big question is where responsibility will land. TDs and Senators are still furious over the sidelining of Cork MEP Billy Kelleher, the secrecy around Gavin’s recruitment, and the role played by Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers in pushing the candidacy through. 

With around €400,000 reportedly poured into a campaign that barely got off the ground, party members want answers — and some are wondering whether this is merely a face-saving exercise or a genuine reckoning. 

On today’s podcast Sean Defoe is joined by Shane Coleman from Newstalk Breakfast to dig into what the review is likely to say, whether Micheál Martin’s leadership is really under threat, and whether this fiasco changes anything at all for Fianna Fáil.