DUBLIN, April 30 (Reuters) - Gerard Hutch, identified in a 2023 court case as the head of a notorious crime family in Ireland, has officially declared his candidacy for the Irish parliament in an upcoming by-election. This move comes 18 months after he narrowly missed securing a seat in a general election.
By-Election Details
Hutch's name appears on the Dublin city returning officer's list of confirmed candidates for the May 22 by-election in the Dublin Central constituency. The election is for the seat left vacant by former Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe.
Better known as "The Monk," Hutch finished fifth in the four-seat constituency during the 2024 national election. This time, analysts suggest the challenge is steeper as only one seat is available, and all major parties that won seats previously are fielding candidates again.
Political Ambitions
In an interview with the Irish Times, Hutch stated, "I think it’s great to put someone in there with a chequered past. That’s what we need in the Dail (parliament), you need change. You need a man like me in there who can talk to the guy in the street."
During the 2024 election campaign, Hutch argued that the deprived inner-city community where he grew up lacked proper representation. His rivals interpreted his support as a protest vote.
Controversial Background
In 2023, an Irish court identified Hutch as the head of the Hutch family, though he was acquitted of involvement in a 2016 murder. He denies leading a criminal gang.
The Hutch drug trafficking organization was named by the U.S. State Department in 2022 as being engaged in a violent turf war with the Kinahan crime group, also based in Dublin. This conflict resulted in 18 murders over the previous six years.
