Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch returning to Ireland for Dublin Central by-election

James Cox

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has confirmed his intention to run in the Dublin Central by-election.

He said he will return to Ireland from Lanzarote to sign nomination papers in the coming days.

Hutch lost out on a seat in the general election, finishing in fifth spot in a four-seat constituency.

“I’ll go over, pay my fee, and sign on the dotted line and then the race is on,” Hutch told the Irish Independent.

“I think I’ve as equal a chance as anyone else who’s in it.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was asked whether it will damage her party's candidate in her own constituency.

McDonald replied: "Every candidate has to go out and fight their campaign. These are competitive processes, with all due respect.

"So wheoever chooses to go ahead, they're entitled to, that's their business. My focus is on our campaigns."

Speaking at her party's Ard Fheis in Belfast, McDonald also dismissed speculation about her leadership.

Asked directly if she would lead Sinn Féin into the next general election she said: “Yes.”

The Dáil seat became available when Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe stepped down to take up a position at the World Bank.

The deadline for registering as a candidate is May 1st and the by-election will take place on Friday, May 22nd.