Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has said that he will not be 'tormenting' voters at their doors for the upcoming bye-elections.
Hutch is running for a seat in his constituency, Dublin Central. The last election saw the Labour Party's Marie Sherlock claim victory over The Monk, however, he is running again despite being under investigation and has currently no known political policies.
Hutch attended a public meeting on Wednesday evening calling for more support for children with additional needs. When asked why he was in attendance, he answered plainly, "I'm here to give them support."
“It’s not only special needs children, it’s how (the Government) treat the whole country. The Children’s Hospital is a national disgrace," he said.
Hutch explained that today will mark the start of his campaign as he will put up posters in his constituency, saying that he doesn't "believe in tormenting people on the doors for eight or 10 weeks."
When asked why people should vote for him, he told the press association: “Well, they have a choice, and the people around this constituency have asked me to run, so they’re going to vote for me, and if other people want to give me their second, third or fourth, so be it. I’m here and I’m running. If I get in, I get in, if I don’t, I don’t.”
In other news, candidates in Dublin Central have recently criticised Hutch for the “absolutely racist” comments he made on social media over the weekend. In the social media post, Hutch said immigrants were coming from Britain and France “because it’s a freebie and they’re getting paid”.
“I think they should be all interned, they should be put in the Curragh camp until they’re sorted, and fed, not given any money, not given any houses," he said.
Hutch continued to say that Indians were “more than welcome” and to “bring your toolbox” as he believes that Irish people have become "too posh" for certain jobs. “We don’t want our kids working in McDonald’s, we need foreign workers for them type of jobs, whether we like it or not, we’re gone too posh," Hutch said.
Sinn Féin’s candidate Cllr Janice Boylan described Hutch's comments as “out of order as far as I’m concerned” but added: “I’m concentrating on what we’re hearing on the doors... and not very much on any other candidates.”
People Before Profit’s Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin said the comments were “absolutely racist”, whereas Ruth O’Dea of the Labour Party said Hutch’s comments were “despicable”.
