Prominent gangland figure Gerry Hutch is considering a run for the upcoming general election in an attempt to unseat Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Hutch, aged 61, is exploring the possibility of running as an independent candidate in Dublin Central, a constituency that includes the north inner city, where he grew up.
Hutch was acquitted last year of organizing the Regency Hotel gun attack, a violent event that intensified the Hutch-Kinahan feud. Over the past week, rumors have circulated that Hutch might make a bid for a Dáil seat. Local sources confirmed on Sunday that he has been seriously considering entering the race for several weeks and is close to making a decision.
One source close to the Hutch family stated that his primary motivation is to take votes away from Sinn Féin. The party is currently facing a decline in the polls, along with several controversies. Mary Lou McDonald, who topped the poll in Dublin Central in 2020 with 35% of first-preference votes, is now facing potential challenges to her re-election.
Hutch’s animosity towards Sinn Féin stems from the Regency trial. During the trial, former Sinn Féin member Jonathan Dowdall claimed Hutch had orchestrated the 2016 attack to kill rival Daniel Kinahan. However, the Special Criminal Court dismissed Dowdall’s testimony after catching him in several lies. Hutch was acquitted of murder, though the court acknowledged his connection to the weapons used in the attack.
Hutch has a criminal record with 30 previous convictions and is suspected to be behind some of Ireland’s largest robberies. Despite his notorious background, he has a significant following in the north inner city, particularly due to his work with Corinthians Boxing Club, where Olympic champion Kelly Harrington trained.
Hutch’s Ambitions Remain Uncertain
It is unclear if Hutch believes he can win a Dáil seat or if he plans to run as a spoiler candidate to damage Sinn Féin’s prospects. While he enjoys strong support in his home neighborhood, a political source noted that he lacks a broad base of support in other parts of the constituency, such as Cabra, Drumcondra, and Phibsborough. The source added, “He hasn’t a hope of getting enough votes outside of his home turf.”
Still, some believe it is possible that Hutch could take enough votes from McDonald to affect her re-election chances, particularly given Sinn Féin’s current difficulties. “There’s certainly an element of revenge to it,” said another source close to the family.
Speculation About Candidacy
Despite speculation about his candidacy, members of the Hutch family did not comment on Sunday. Gerry Hutch currently splits his time between Dublin and Lanzarote, Spain. He remains a regular visitor to the north inner city, where many of his family and friends still reside.
It is not yet known if Hutch plans to run a traditional campaign involving posters and door-to-door canvassing. Any such campaign would likely raise security concerns. Hutch has survived several assassination attempts in the past, and gardaí have previously warned him about threats to his life.
However, the threat to Hutch has diminished in recent years. He now moves around Dublin with no visible protection. A Garda source stated, “He will receive the same treatment as anyone else. If a threat is uncovered, he will be advised and told to take appropriate measures.”
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