Jim Gavin's departure from this election left many in Fianna Fáil stunned last night but tellingly the party leader said it was the correct decision.
It is a move though that will raise fundamental questions about Micheál Martin’s own judgement and his pursuit of a candidate shockingly ill-suited to this election race.
His highly controlled leadership style and top-down messaging will now come into focus as his colleagues try to make sense of the last 24 hours.
Plus, the likelihood of him leading the party after December 2027, when his time as Taoiseach is scheduled to conclude, has surely diminished too.
Fianna Fáil has effectively been plunged into crisis 24 hours before the Budget and some in Government believe they have strayed into uncharted territory.
Several party TDs spent yesterday out canvassing for Jim Gavin and had made plans to do so during the busy Budget days ahead.
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But they say it is notable that Micheál Martin’s social media channels have been sparse in their coverage of Jim Gavin in recent days.
It appears to have been a similar story with the director of elections Jack Chambers.
Was there knowledge in the upper levels of the party for some time that this had gone fundamentally awry?
The root of the spectacular withdrawal was the Irish Independent’s revelation that a tenant in a property Jim Gavin owned 16 years ago did not receive a refund they had sought after an overpayment of rent.
Jim Gavin said in his statement that he made a mistake which was not in keeping with his character and he is taking steps to address the matter.
He also spoke about the impact of the campaign on his family when making his decision.
In a note to Fianna Fáil TDs, Senators and MEPs Micheál Martin said that Jim Gavin accepted that he made an error in relation to the issue that has arisen in recent days.
It draws the curtain on a difficult campaign for a man who entered this race with an impeccable record of public service but no real political experience.
The end is a humiliating one and a reminder again of the brutal and character crushing nature of presidential elections.
There are just two candidates left now as the latest opinion poll suggests Catherine Connolly is leading the way.
Fine Gael will be watching to see if their Government colleagues will formally urge their supporters to vote for Heather Humphreys.
Either way, Jim Gavin’s name will remain on the ballot paper. A stark reminder of the perils of presidential ambition.
