A win for Gerry Hutch in the Dublin Central by-election will necessitate a significant increase in security at Leinster House, the cost of which will be paid for by taxpayers.
For many years, the Monk’s life was dominated by the feud between his Hutch Organised Crime Gang and the Kinahan cartel.
The war between the two crime gangs left 19 people dead and Gerry Hutch lived in the knowledge that his life was in constant danger.
It all means that if he is elected a TD for Dublin Central in next month’s by-election, Gardaí will be forced to fundamentally re-assess the security of Leinster House.
“If he was to be elected and, while he says he has no involvement in crime anymore, he wouldn't be able to be stopped by Gardaí on his way to the Dáil, which creates some other challenges,” Irish Daily Mail Political Editor Craig Hughes explained on Newstalk Daily.
“Now, I asked Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan about this in the wake of the last General Election.
“He says there's no plans to bring forward any constitutional changes in that regard, but it's just one interesting issue that would emerge.
“Security sources have pointed out there would have to be a real ramping up in security around Leinster House if a figure like Gerry Hutch, whose life has been under threat so often, was suddenly in and out of Leinster House on a daily basis.”
Independent candidate Gerard Hutch speaks to media in the RDS Count Centre in Dublin. Picture by: Leon Farrell /RollingNews.ie.In the 2024 General Election, Hutch narrowly missed out on the final seat in the constituency.
However, the dynamics of a by-election mean turnout is lower and voters tend to be more inclined to give the Government a kicking.
The result of last year’s Presidential Election also suggests there are a high number of discontented people in the constituency.
“The level of spoiled votes in Dublin Central was 15%,” Mr Hughes continued.
“So, you'd have to equate a lot of those with Gerry Hutch or Malachy Steenson, which is above their combined share in the General Election.”
Independent candidate Gerry Hutch in his van during the general election campaign. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.In 2024, Hutch won 3,098 first preference votes, which equated to 9.5% of the total poll.
However, he lost the final seat after Labour’s Marie Sherlock won significantly more transfers than him.
If Hutch is serious about becoming a TD, he will have to find a way to win a greater number of transfers.
“Even if he got, and I think this would be a big ask, even if he got 20% on first preference, I think even then he would still struggle,” Mr Hughes predicted.
“I think the winner from this contest is likely going to come from who can get ahead of each other and get the transfers in the left.”
The Dublin Central by-election is due to be held on 22nd May.
Main image: Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch. Picture by: Lazarov/RollingNews
