Gerry Hutch has a “chance” of being elected as a TD later this month, a leading crime expert has predicted. 

Yesterday, ‘The Monk’ lodged his nominations to stand in the Dublin Central constituency against Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonad, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Neasa Hourigan of the Greens, Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats and former MEP Clare Daly. 

Despite the large number of prominent candidates vying for seats, Crime World podcast host Nicola Tallant believes it is not impossible that Hutch could be elected. 

“He has a chance certainly,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“He’s certainly got a lot of popularity locally in the north inner city area. 

“It’s whether he can broaden that and attract some of the anti-establishment vote in the wider area.” 

Policies

Since returning to Dublin from his home in Lanzarote, Hutch has yet to announce any policies that he would pursue if elected as a Dublin Central TD. 

Instead, he claims he is simply responding to popular demand. 

“His electoral campaign is that he’s the people’s choice,” Ms Tallant said. 

“He said he was asked a number of times to run for this and that this is a decision he made because people have asked him.” 

Gerry Hutch pictured in the wing mirror of a stretch limo while collecting former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mike Tyson from Dublin Airport, 25-03-2006. Image: Julien Behal/PA

Earlier this month, Hutch was arrested in the Canary Islands as part of a joint investigation by Gardaí and Spanish authorities into allegations of money laundering by the Hutch Organised Crime Group.

“He got bail there for a number of reasons,” Ms Tallant said. 

“In Spain, they do put you before the courts as a suspect - it’s very different to here. 

“So, he’s not actually charged with any offence in Spain. 

“They have just brought all the suspects in a money laundering case before the courts.”

Gerry Hutch  in 1999 Photo: RollingNews.ie

Ms Tallant said Hutch might never be charged and seems unconcerned about the investigation. 

“He seems to have free access to travel - he certainly had no problem coming out of Lanzarote and coming to Dublin,” she said. 

“When asked at the airport by myself about that, whether the Spanish money laundering case was going to affect anything about his run for the Dáil, he said he was innocent. 

“He certainly doesn’t appear to be terribly worried about the Spanish case.” 

When asked about Hutch’s candidacy, Minister Donohoe said he believes the people of his constituency want to “put organised crime and criminality behind them.”

You can find out Newstalk's full prediction for the Dublin Central constituency by listening to the Calling It podcast with Ivan Yates and Seán Defoe. 

Main image shows Gerry Hutch. Image by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie