Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has rubbished claims he is a Sinn Fein "plant" in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election.
Responding to online claims that he has been "planted" into the by-election running to "take votes" from other Independent candidates, the notorious criminal insisted he is not supporting any political party, nor does he have the support of one. Sinn Fein are running local Councillor Janice Boylan in the hotly-anticipated by-election on May 22.
In a video posted to social media Hutch, 63, said: "There's people on the internet saying that Gerard Hutch is supporting Sinn Fein in the Election. Gerard is not supporting Sinn Fein, Sinn Fein are not supporting Gerard.
"Gerard is an Independent, and Gerard is there for the people of his constituency. If you want to vote for other parties, Independents, anybody, do that.
"Vote for who you like, but I think it's best to not vote for the parties that are after destroying the country. We all know who they are, the Fianna Fails and the Fien Gaels.
"Anyone else is your choice." The Monk expanded on the video in the post's caption, saying that claims he is a "plant" are "complete nonsense".
He wrote: "Let me be absolutely clear. I do not support any political party — and no political party supports me. Especially not Sinn Fein.
"These rumours are false, and they are being spread to mislead you. I am an independent candidate. The only people I support are the people of my constituency and the people of Ireland.
"No party. No backroom deals. No hidden agenda. Just you. Others are trying to label me, to discredit me — calling me a ‘plant’ or saying I’m here to take votes.
"That is complete nonsense. Your vote belongs to you, and you decide where it goes — not them. And I’ll say this: don’t hand your vote back to the same people who have let this country down — the same people who have turned their backs on you after years of support.
"If you want change, real change, then it’s time to choose differently. On election day, May 22nd, ignore the noise. Ignore the lies.
"Vote for someone who answers only to you. Vote Gerard Hutch number one. I am here for you — and I will be your voice.”
It comes after his remarks on immigration were labelled "straight out of the Donald Trump playbook" according to one by-election rival. In a separate social media video, Hutch said immigrants "mooching" their way into Ireland should be "interned and put in the Curragh Camp, in camps, until they're sorted", reports the Irish Mirror.
He continued: "(They should be) fed, and not given any money, not given any houses. The other people that's coming in from foreign countries, from India and all that type of stuff, genuine people coming in, bring your toolbox. Youse are more than welcome.
"But the ones that are Somalians, and them type of people, no way. Interned." The footage was recorded at Corinthians Boxing Club in Dublin's inner city, where the Dáil hopeful was questioned by Dublin City Councillor Gavin Pepper.
Janet Horner, who standing for the Green Party in the forthcoming by-election, stated that The Monk's comments "are prejudiced, harmful, and straight out of the Donald Trump playbook." She added: "People coming to Ireland seeking refuge are entitled to be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else, and should not be singled out on nationality, race or any other factor.
"Dublin Central deserves someone with real solutions, rather than hateful soundbites that are intended to sow division and fear. Hutch's comments show that after his decades in Spain he's completely disconnected from the communities in Dublin Central."
Ms Horner stated that the "vast majority" of constituents "don't buy into his prejudiced viewpoints", adding: "There's no place for this rhetoric in politics, and I know the people of Dublin Central will show this when they roundly reject him and other far right voices at the ballot box on 22 May."
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