“IF YOU DON’T register, you don’t have a voice.”
They are not the words of the Electoral Commission, but of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, who has kicked off his Dublin Central by-election campaign with a video message urging people to sign up to vote.
In a clip posted to his social media accounts late last night, Hutch told viewers: “Hello folks. The election is coming up soon. You matter. Make sure you’re registered to vote.”
The 62-year-old, who is seeking to contest the upcoming byelection in Dublin Central, formally announced his intention to contest last week during the launch of a one-man play by Rex Ryan about his life.
Hutch said in his latest video that he encountered many unregistered voters during the 2024 general election campaign.
“I’ve been to an election already, and a lot of people weren’t registered to vote,” Hutch said in the video.
He also claimed that when he told other local politicians he expected to draw support from the community, he was told those voters “don’t vote”.
“I said they probably don’t vote because there’s no one to vote for. I said, let’s see what happens. So I did. I got over 3,000 votes,” Hutch added.
Hutch secured just over 3,000 first-preference votes in the four-seat Dublin Central constituency in November 2024, performing strongly in parts of the north inner city, but ultimately losing out on the final seat to Labour’s Marie Sherlock after transfers.
A byelection is due to take place following the resignation of former Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe, who has taken up a senior role at the World Bank.
In his latest message, Hutch urged younger voters to assist older relatives in registering online.
“Help your grandmother, help your mother, help your auntie, your uncle,” he said. “You don’t have to vote for me, but register.”
“Yous all matter,” he added.
Hi folks just a quick video on the importance of registering to vote. #Gerryhutchno1 #gerryhutch #registertohaveyoursay https://t.co/rjY5XICDMq pic.twitter.com/C8d3qUSfQT
— GERARD HUTCH (@GerardHutchNo1) February 24, 2026
Hutch also alleged that the “present government don’t want you to register”, a claim he did not substantiate.
Hutch’s return to the campaign trail comes as legal issues continue to hang over him.
He is currently on bail in Spain in connection with an investigation into alleged money laundering offences.
Spanish authorities have said Hutch and nine others are accused of belonging to a criminal money-laundering gang, though any potential trial is unlikely to take place before the byelection.
A statement previously issued by court officials in Lanzarote in December said Hutch was being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence in the context of a criminal organisation. He denies wrongdoing.
Separately, Hutch is being pursued by the Criminal Assets Bureau over an unpaid tax bill of almost €800,000 relating to liabilities assessed between 2006 and 2010.
Under the Electoral Act, a person is disqualified from Dáil membership if declared bankrupt or serving a prison sentence exceeding six months, but the legislation does not prevent a person in Hutch’s position from standing for election.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has previously said that while the law does not preclude someone like Hutch from running, “there may be consequences afterwards” depending on the outcome of legal proceedings.
