Jim Gavin Leaves Irish Presidential Race Right Away

The Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin has declared he is withdrawing from the Irish presidential election right away.

He was poised to be one of three candidates competing for Ireland's head of state, alongside Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.

Nonetheless, late Sunday he stated through a declaration that he "erred that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself."

"After weighing these points, I have decided to withdraw from the election for president right away and go back to my family," he stated in his announcement.

Further updates expected.