Micheál Martin and Jim Gavin at the Ploughing Championships last month. Photograph: Ronan McGreevyMicheál Martin has apologised and acknowledged the “hurt and shock” of Fianna Fáil members as he addressed his party on its disastrous presidential election campaign. Mr Gavin was party leader Mr Martin’s preferred choice to be Fianna Fáil’s candidate. Mr O’Callaghan said it was “easy to say in hindsight there were mistakes in the process” of selecting Mr Gavin as Fianna Fáil candidate. Fianna Fáil emerged from the latest general election as the largest party in Government and Mr Martin was “doing a very good job as leader of Fianna Fáil and, indeed, as Taoiseach”, Mr O’Callaghan said.
