Gerard Hutch calls for 'internment' for 'illegal immigrants' during interview
Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is one of the candidates in the Dublin Central by-election to replace Paschal Donohoe. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photo
Dublin Central by-election candidate Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch has suggested that “illegal” immigrants should be “interned in the Curragh”.
As the veteran criminal laid out his political policies for the first time, Hutch said that he had no issue with “genuine” immigrants “bringing their toolbox to work”, as he claimed “foreign nationals” are needed for jobs that Irish people have “gone too posh for”, such as working in McDonald's.
Mr Hutch is contesting the by-election in Dublin Central on May 22. The race is being held to fill the seat vacated by former Fine Gael TD and finance minister Paschal Donohoe, who left Irish politics in November to work at the World Bank.
Read More
In a video shot in Corinthians Boxing Club in north inner-city Dublin, Mr Hutch answered several questions put to him by independent Dublin City councillor Gavin Pepper, who was previously described as a “far-right activist” in the Dáil.
Scroll for results in your area
Mr Pepper asked Hutch about several topics, including the cost of living, special education, and immigration.
Hutch suggested that some immigrants coming to Ireland should be “interned”.
“The illegal ones that are brought into the country, that poke into the country, and there's no direct flights from these countries, they are coming into England and France and are mooching their way into southern Ireland because it's a freebie, and are getting paid, I think they should be all interned,” he said.
“They should be put in the Curragh Camp, in camps, until they're sorted. Fed, and not given any money, not given any houses. The other people that's coming in from foreign countries, from India and all that type of stuff, genuine people coming in, bring your toolbox. Yous are more than welcome.
“But the ones that are Somalians and them type of people, no way. Interned.”
Mr Hutch said that “genuine people” seeking work are needed in Ireland, arguing that Irish people have “gone too posh” and do not want their children “working in McDonald's”.
“We need foreign nationals coming in for them jobs, whether we like it or not. We are gone too posh.
“But the illegal ones, don’t give them a penny. Feed them, and put them on the boat, and send them back.”
He said that further funding was needed for special needs assistants (SNA), saying the Government has managed the situation “disgracefully”.
Mr Hutch said that any child with special needs is allowed to train in Corinthians boxing club free of charge.
“If a kid comes in here with special needs, he gets looked after,” he said. "He's probably never gonna box. He plays around. He thinks he’s a boxer. We let him have the banter, and we just watch them that they don't get injured. They’re alright.
“Because you have to get away from the parents. Fucking driving the parents mad. You know what they’re like, these kids. It is not their fault. They’re kids.”
Hutch also told Mr Pepper that he will not do media interviews as editors “destroy” good journalists and “turn them into bad journalists”.
He added: “Interviews are dangerous. RTÉ want to get me on and have other people. They’ll stab me in the back, like a dying wasp.”
Janet Horner, the Green Party’s Dublin Central by-election candidate, said Mr Hutch's comments were “prejudiced, harmful, and straight out of the Donald Trump playbook”, as she singled out the comments he made about Somalians.
“People coming to Ireland seeking refuge are entitled to be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else, and should not be singled out on nationality, race or any other factor,” she said.
“Dublin Central deserves someone with real solutions, rather than hateful soundbites that are intended to sow division and fear.
“Hutch's comments show that after his decades in Spain, he's completely disconnected from the communities in Dublin Central.” “I've lived here for close to two decades, work closely with the many diverse communities of the area and I've knocked on 1000s of doors around the constituency over the past few months. I know that the vast majority of people don't buy into his prejudiced viewpoints.
“There's no place for this rhetoric in politics, and I know the people of Dublin Central will show this when they roundly reject him and other far right voices at the ballot box on May 22.”
Other candidates in the Dublin Central by-election on May 22 include Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats, Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin of People Before Profit, Labour’s Ruth O’Dea, Aontú’s Ian Noel Smyth, Fianna Fáil’s John Stephens, and independent candidates Tony Corrigan, Colm Flood, Mannix Flynn, John O’Leary, and Malachy Steenson.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
