A Dublin West by-election candidate has made a complaint to Gardai in Blanchardstown claiming that he was blackmailed by individuals over a video that shows him making alleged racial comments.

David Hall told Gardai that a group of individuals informed him they had possession of a video which showed Hall making seemingly racist remarks and wanted payment of ten thousand euro for the footage.

“A number of weeks ago a number of individuals approached me indicating that there was a video footage of a couple of seconds long which they wanted to sell to me for ten thousand euros. This had an alleged comment on it,” Hall said.

“There was further contact just before the weekend and I reported the
I reported the matter to the gards and gave a full statement and handed it over to them to investigate,” Hall added.

In the clip Hall is heard saying “everyone should have one” and when questioned about what that means, he says, “blacks”.

Refusing to pay the amount demanded by the indivudals in possession of the footage, Hall reported the incident to Gardai and a report on the footage appeared in today’s Sunday World.

Hall is an independent candidate and is known for his position as Director of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation.

He says the comments were taken completely out of context and was 'banter between friends'.

He also says the timing of the event is completely sinister with the elections in less than 10 days time.