He stopped to talk to people and shook hands as he encouraged locals to vote him “number 1”.
The gangland figure (61), who is running for the Dublin Central constituency, was seen driving through the streets of Dublin in his white election van, adorned with a massive campaign poster, as he blared Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town.
A speaker in the van announced in Hutch’s voice: “Get out and vote, people’s choice, vote number 1, Hutch number 1.”
He gave passersby a wide grin and a thumbs up as he cruised around the capital.
The veteran criminal has stepped up the campaign in his constituency since he announced his general election bid last week.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent at the weekend, the unlikely election candidate said that local TDs had done nothing for the area.
On Monday, Hutch shared a photo of himself clinging to an electricity pole as he hung his election poster above one of constituency rival, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
“Up we go. We are on top and staying on top. Great support and great feedback from the locals,” he posted on social media.
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Hutch also shared a video from his canvassing trip, where he posed with Dubliners.
“Great to meet people in my constituency today and around Dublin,” he wrote on social media.
“Great feedback as always from the lovely people of Dublin.”
Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is running for the Dublin Central constituency. Photo: PA
It comes as Ms McDonald was asked about Hutch’s election bid by students while out canvassing at Dublin City University. She told students anyone can run for election, but she represented families that suffered because of gangland violence.
“It wasn’t glamorous, it’s not cool, it’s not funny,” she said. “There were people, families and children left very, very traumatised still by that and that kind of activity in communities brings nothing but bad news and hardship, especially for young people.”
Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch on his election bid, cleaning up Dublin, that Spanish money laundering probe and comparisons to Donald Trump
The Monk was acquitted last year of the gangland murder of Regency Hotel victim David Byrne in 2016.
The Hutch gang have been involved in a feud with the Kinahan cartel for a number of years. The feud has claimed 18 lives.
As well as Ms McDonald, Hutch faces a range of other challengers in Dublin Central, including Fine Gael’s Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and former Dublin MEP Clare Daly.
