Taoiseach criticised by party members over review into Gavin campaign

A review into Fianna Fail’s handling of the Presidential Election Campaign reveals potential tenancy issues were raised with Fianna Fail before Jim Gavin was selected as the party’s candidate.The issue was discussed at Parliamentary Party meeting last night.It’s being reported that many members were unhappy with having little input into the selection process.It’s also understood there was criticism directed at the Taoiseach during the meeting which lasted 5 hours.The Sligo Leitrim Deputy Eamon Scanlon was part of the review group.The former Dublin GAA Manager withdrew from the election after it came to light he owed a former tenant over 3 thousand euro in overpaid rent.The report claims that some senior party members, including the Taoiseach chief of staff and Fianna Fail’s Director of Elections Jack Chambers, were contacted about a potential problem with Mr Gavin’s former tenant before he was selected as the party’s candidate.The review says Jim Gavin was asked about a potential issue five times and it wasn’t until the tenant made direct contact with the party that Mr Gavin ‘said he recognised the name’.The report fails to mention when the Taoiseach became aware of the issue, or if his chief of staff – who was in the know early on – kept him in the loop on the matter.