Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch opens up on personal safety after Dáil bid

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch almost pulled off an incredible upset in the Dublin Central constituency, contesting the fourth and final seat.

However, he was ultimately shut out after transfers being brought over to Labour’s Marie Sherlock.

Speaking to reporters at the count centre, Hutch was asked by Craig Hughes of the Irish Daily Mail about his personal safety on the campaign trail.

Last spring, Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, which was one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud.

That feud claimed the lives of at least 18 people over several years in Dublin and overseas. Due to concerns, Hutch had been warned about threats on his life and regularly wore disguises around the city.

"[There was] small concern," Hutch said. He added that he had no qualms about coming to the count centre under heavy media presence.

He said: "Sure I’m here… I survived."

There were chaotic scenes inside the RDS count centre in Dublin when Hutch arrived on Sunday afternoon — as he was mobbed by waiting members of the media who pursued him through the centre.

He finally stopped at railings placed around a vote counting station, as dozens of reporters, photographers and camera operators jostled to get close to the convicted criminal.

Commenting on the scenes, he said “There’s never a guard [Garda] around when you need one."

Asked why he thought so many people had voted for him in the Dublin Central constituency, he replied, "Because they are looking for change and if I got elected I would give them the change that they want. I would do what they want."

Hutch pulled off an unprecedented over-performance in the first day of counting, with all signs pointing to him potentially winning the fourth seat.

However on Sunday, his lead over Marie Sherlock of Labour dwindled following the election of Gary Gannon and eliminations of Neasa Hourigan and Mary Fitzpatrick. Sherlock ultimately became the fourth TD in Dublin Central.

Asked why he had attended the count centre, he replied: "What do you think? This is a joke, this is a circus."

Asked if he would run again, he said: "I’ve been running all my life, I love running."

There were angry scenes as security staff attempted to move the media back.

Hutch stayed in the count centre for just over half an hour before leaving, surrounded by security staff.

As the media followed him outside the building, he was repeatedly asked if he would run for election again.

He then started jogging through the car park, with journalists in pursuit, before turning onto the main road and running away.

Hutch had run a colourful campaign, telling reporters after he arrived at Dublin Airport some weeks ago that he would contest the General Election and then arriving at the office of the Dublin City returning officer on a moped to lodge his papers.

He was later pictured driving through the constituency in his white election van. His election posters featured the slogan, "We need change and I’m your man".

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.