Unpaid €790,000 tax bill will not 'preclude' Gerry Hutch running in Dublin Central by-election

Gerry Hutch came close to winning a seat in the constituency in the 2024 general election, but lost out on the final seat after being overtaken by Labour’s Marie Sherlock. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch will not be precluded from running in the Dublin Central by-election due to an unpaid Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) tax bill, the justice minister has said.

Jim O’Callaghan said there may be “consequences afterwards” for Mr Hutch if he won a seat in the upcoming by-election, which is being prompted by the resignation of former finance minister Paschal Donohoe from the Dáil last week.

The Fianna Fáil TD said candidates needed to comply with existing electoral laws.

“Obviously, any candidate who wants to run has to comply with the provisions set out in the electoral acts as to who can and can't be a candidate,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“Issues have to be resolved, if you have been served with a summons by CAB and you’ve a tax bill that has to be met, that has to be met.” 

Mr O’Callaghan declined to comment on Mr Hutch directly, but said the Electoral Act was “clear”.

“It doesn't preclude somebody in his position from running as a candidate. However, there may be consequences afterwards,” he said.

It was first reported in the weekend media that Mr Hutch was being pursued by CAB over an unpaid tax bill of €790,000.

The Standards in Public Office Act requires all TDs elected to the Dáil to provide it with a tax clearance certificate.

If this does not occur, Standards in Public Office can launch a formal investigation into the TD.

An Instagram purporting to be from Mr Hutch posted last Friday signalled he may be running in the upcoming by-election.

“I've been spending a lot of time lately listening, learning and connecting with people across our community,” one picture post on the official Gerard Hutch Instagram account reads.

“I’m grateful for all the support and encouragement along the way. I’ll be able to share more updates soon, and I appreciate everyone who's been on with me on this on the journey.” 

A second post, picturing Dublin’s Five Lamps, was entitled “The People’s Choice”.

Mr Hutch came close to winning a seat in the constituency in the 2024 general election, but lost out on the final seat after being overtaken by Labour’s Marie Sherlock.

He polled 3,098 first-preference votes.