Gerry Hutch 'is no Robin Hood' says Jack Chambers after 'The Monk' confirms by-election run

Mr Hutch has confirmed he will run in the Dublin Central by-election to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of former Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe

Gerry Hutch contested the 2024 general election in Dublin Central but was beaten for the final seat by Labour’s Marie Sherlock after a struggle to secure transfers from other candidates. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is “no Robin Hood”, Fianna Fáil’s deputy leader Jack Chambers has said, after the gangland figure confirmed he would contest the upcoming Dublin Central by-election.

Mr Hutch threw his hat in the ring for the by-election that will be held in the constituency to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of former Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe.

Mr Hutch was acquitted by the Special Criminal Court in 2023 of the murder of Kinahan gang member David Byrne during the 2016 Regency Hotel attack.

While the court accepted members of the Hutch group were responsible for the shooting, it ruled prosecutors failed to prove Mr Hutch’s direct involvement.

He contested the 2024 general election in the same constituency but was beaten for the final seat by Labour’s Marie Sherlock after a struggle to secure transfers from other candidates.

When asked about Mr Hutch’s renewed bid to get to the Dáil, Mr Chambers criticised the damage he had caused to north inner-city Dublin.

“Gerry Hutch got his answer in the last general election,” the public expenditure minister said.

“He wasn't elected, and we saw the wave of transfers which certainly moved away and against him.

We know the impact of his activities on the north inner city and the community there over many years in terms of his involvement in criminality.

“Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is no Robin Hood, and he's no hero for the community that resides in the north inner city.

Anyone has a right to go forward for election, Mr Chambers said, adding he would be "surprised to see him advance through such a contest".

“We'll [Fianna Fáil] be contesting that, like many political parties, and putting our best case forward.”

Fianna Fáil senator Mary Fitzpatrick confirmed earlier this week she would not be putting her name forward for the by-election, with councillor John Stephens now seeking the nomination.

At a promotional evening for a new one-man play by Rex Ryan called The Monk, Hutch confirmed he would contest the election.

Asked what would be different this time, he said his approach would be “similar to the last one,” but hinted at “a few extra things”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed last week the by-elections would be held in May.

It is expected a contest to fill the seat vacated in Galway West by President Catherine Connolly will be held on the same day as the Dublin Central by-election.