First Minister Michelle O’Neill said there was a ‘huge gap’ in that she could be a presidential candidate but cannot vote in the same election.

In a speech to supporters the Fine Gael candidate criticised her opponent Catherine Connolly’s approach to Brexit.

Catherine Connolly said she had ‘no control’ over who she met on the trip and noted Micheal Martin personally met Bashar Assad.

The Tanaiste’s comments came after Fine Gael candidate for the Irish presidency suggested a Stormont parliament could be retained in a united Ireland.

Rival presidential candidate Catherine Connolly accused the Government of not doing enough to plan for constitutional change on the island

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys said she is ‘disappointed’ that Paul Murphy is taking legal action against her.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys is being sued over remarks she made about a politician supporting her election rival during a radio debate.

Catherine Connolly appeared on The Katie Hannon Interview Live on RTÉ.

Fine Gael is ‘very worried’ about the momentum behind Catherine Connolly’s campaign, the left-wing independent candidate has claimed.

Catherine Connolly was ahead in two recent polls ahead of the presidential election.

The left-wing independent candidate said there is a ‘golden opportunity’ for Fianna Fail supporters to back her campaign.

Mr Martin also said he was ‘glad to see that that has been resolved’ in relation to Mr Gavin reportedly repaying his former tenant.

‘I need all the votes I can get, there’s no question about that,’ Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys said.

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party met in private on Wednesday night after Mr Gavin’s dramatic withdrawal.

The Fine Gael candidate said the image had been taken down.

The Fianna Fáil deputy leader came under pressure for the selection of Mr Gavin as the party’s presidential nominee.

Cork East TD James O’Connor said Jim Gavin ‘should have never found himself on the ballot paper’ in the presidential election.

Jim Gavin dropped out of contention late on Sunday night, too late for the ballot paper to be altered.

Micheal Martin said it is his intention to continue leading Fianna Fail, after the party’s presidential candidate dramatically withdrew from the race.

Minister Jack Chambers said a ‘clear contradiction’ emerged in relation to Jim Gavin’s account of payments due to a former tenant.