IAA’s Declan Fitzpatrick among those to publicly support former Dublin manager in Áras run

Former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has emerged as a live contender to succeed Michael D Higgins. Photo: Sportsfile

Former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has emerged as a live contender to succeed Michael D Higgins. Photo: Sportsfile

Mary Regan and Tabitha Monahan

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The aviation regulator has refused to comment on whether its chief ­executive, Declan Fitzpatrick, was speaking in a personal capacity when he endorsed Jim Gavin for the presidential election.

A number of high-ranking executives in semi-state agencies have broken with the tradition of staying out of party politics and publicly backed Mr Gavin’s campaign.