Gerry Hutch (62) did not respond through his solicitor today as to whether he’s considering running in the Dublin North Central by-election
05:00, 19 Nov 2025Updated 08:14, 19 Nov 2025
Gerry Hutch at the General Election count in the RDS(Image: Collin Photos)
Speculation is rife in Dublin’s North inner city that veteran crime boss Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch will run in the upcoming by-election.
Hutch (62), who was recently made aware of an E800,000 Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) bill, did not respond through his solicitor today as to whether he’s considering running in the Dublin North Central by-election that has now come about as a result of the shock departure of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.
North inner city councillor Nial Ring, who is a friend of the Hutch family, said a lot of locals had been saying to him that Hutch should run again. “I don’t know whether he’s contemplating running again or not but even today a few people have said to me in view of the fact that he got so close last time that maybe he should run.
“I’m a great believer in democracy, anyone’s entitled to run and so let the electorate decide,” he said. “Of course he could run again. He got a lot of votes. I would know the Hutch family. I mean we are all around the same area. I would be very aware of his contribution to the North inner city.”
Mr Ring, a long-time inner city councillor himself, added that he hadn’t even decided whether he was running himself or not. However local inner city councillor Malachy Steenson has confirmed to this paper that he will run in the election – and that he, and others we have spoken to, have no issue with ‘The Monk’ running.
Gerry Hutch pictured at the election count at the RDS in Dublin on Sunday(Image: Sam Boal/Collin Photos)
Gerry Hutch pictured at the election count at the RDS in Dublin(Image: Sam Boal/Collins Photos)
“I will be running,” Mr Steenson said. “My platform is immigration and housing are the main issues. Considering that this country has gotten far worse since last November and now we have the political class accepting that everything we said from November 2022 in East Wall has been correct.
“I’m only concerned about my campaign. I’m not concerned about other people’s campaigns. There’s no doubt if that individual did run he’d get a free run of the media just like last time.
Running as an independent candidate last year, Hutch sensationally received 3,098 first preference votes – and narrowly missed out on the last seat to Labour’s Marie Sherlock. During the last campaign he was criticised by Social democrats politician Gary Gannon – who ultimately won a seat in the constituency and is now a TD there. Speaking to this paper today, Mr Gannon said he is not concerned about the prospect of Hutch running again.
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“It’s not a concern of mine if Gerry Hutch runs or not. He’s ran before, he didn’t win before. It would be much more difficult for him to win in a by-election. I don’t doubt the fact that it’s an interesting story but that’s all it is. Anyone’s entitled to run.” Mr Gannon added that he is “very excited” by this election and said that his party would run a candidate.
The shock development comes at a difficult time for Hutch however, as the CAB slapped him with a near E800,000 bill for alleged unpaid tax from 2006 to 2010. That comes over a year on from when Hutch was freed from Spanish custody in Lanzarote – after raids were carried out on his properties in October 2024.
Hutch was one of nine people arrested as part of a major joint garda investigation into alleged money laundering. He was released from custody on a E100,000 bail. He then sensationally flew back to Dublin where he announced his whirlwind candidacy in the general election.
It came over a year on from when he was released from custody after being acquitted by the Special Criminal Court of being the shooter who killed Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne in Dublin’s Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016.
That same case heard from presiding Judge Tara Burns who said while there was no evidence that Hutch committed the murder, there was evidence that suggested he was in control of the firearms which were used in the shooting – after the event occurred.
Citing that he was all about “change,” Hutch had just a few short weeks to launch his campaign – which was primarily done via social media. He also appeared on the Crime World podcast – and told the Sunday Independent at the time why he was running.
“I’m doing it because people in my community asked me to. I want to serve the people of Dublin 1,3, and 7. I want to serve the country. I’ve a list as long as my arm on the things that need to be done,” he said.
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“But I’m not the type of person who would be anyone for their vote. If you want to vote for me, then do. I won’t be twisting anyone’s arm. I will be out, knocking on certain doors. “People can tell me to f**k off if they’re not interested. I have to expect that cheek from people. Am I confident I’ll get elected? Absolutely I am.”
Hutch also said his number one priority is homelessness and housing, adding that there are almost 4,500 homeless children and that this turns them into “child criminals” “On top of that, we have the housing crisis, not enough places for people to buy affordable homes. It’s an emergency situation,” he said.
“There is too much red tape in this country. We have to get rid of the red tape, and quickly.”
If he is elected, Hutch said he will “be doing everything in the best interest of my constituency and the country.”And if I have to work with Mary Lou, or if I have to work with Micheál Martin, then I would.”
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