Crime Boss Hutch Narrowly Misses Seat In Irish Parliament

Gerard Hutch, a controversial figure named in court as the head of a prominent Irish crime family, narrowly missed securing a seat in Ireland’s parliament on Sunday.

Despite a strong surge of support in economically deprived areas of the Dublin Central constituency, Hutch, known as “The Monk,” finished fifth in the four-seat race.

Hutch had been a frontrunner for the final seat earlier in the day, but a late surge by Labour Party candidate Marie Sherlock edged him out of contention.

The 60-year-old, who has faced legal scrutiny in the past, was arrested in Spain as part of an international investigation into money laundering linked to the Hutch Organised Crime Group. He was released on bail last November, according to Irish state broadcaster RTÉ.

Hutch made a brief appearance at the vote count on Sunday, drawing significant media attention. He was seen speaking with Sherlock before jogging out of the venue, flanked by security personnel.

Speaking ahead of the election, Hutch said his campaign was motivated by a desire to address the neglect of his inner-city Dublin community. As a longtime supporter of local sports initiatives, he argued that the area had been left behind by the government.

Gary Gannon, another successful candidate in the race, described Hutch’s strong showing as a “protest vote,” reflecting frustration over housing and healthcare crises.

“Some parts of that community, actually significant parts, have been left behind by all the catastrophes of housing and the ability to access healthcare. That leaves a mark,” Gannon said.

Prominent filmmaker Jim Sheridan, who is working on a documentary about Hutch, attributed the unexpected level of support to anger over “years and years of drugs and … nothing happening in that community.”

Hutch has been a polarizing figure for years. The U.S. State Department identified the Hutch gang in 2022 as being locked in a violent turf war with the Kinahan crime group, a conflict that has led to at least 18 murders since 2016.

The State Department offered a $5 million reward for information on the Kinahan group’s leaders but did not implicate Hutch in their arrest efforts.

Hutch himself has denied being the leader of a crime gang. Speaking on a recent podcast, he acknowledged past convictions for robbery but said he had turned his life around. In 2008, he told RTÉ in a rare interview that he had been unfairly labeled.

Asked on Sunday whether he might contest another election, Hutch replied, “We’ll consider it.”
(With inputs From Reuters)