LAST UPDATE | 4 May

A DUBLIN-BASED asylum seekers rights group has “strongly condemned” comments made by Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch in which he called for people he described as “illegal immigrants” to be “interned”. 

Lucky Khambule, co-founder of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI), said that comments made by Hutch were “really upsetting” and exhibited a “complete disregard” for human beings. 

Well-known gangland figure Hutch, who is running in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, made the remarks in a video filmed by far-right councillor Gavin Pepper at Corinthians Boxing Club in Dublin’s north inner city, where he held a public campaign event yesterday.

Asked by Pepper whether the government should deport “undocumented migrants” and close the borders, Hutch said those “brought into the country” should be detained.

“The illegal ones… should be all interned,” Hutch told Pepper.

“They’re coming in through England and France and are mooching their way into Southern Ireland because it’s a freebie and they’re getting paid,” Hutch added.

“They should be put in the Curragh Camp, in camps, until they’re sorted.

“They should be fed, and not given any money, not given any houses,” Hutch added.

Khambule deplored these comments:

“The world is moving forward and we do not need people who are taking us 50 years back.

“We strongly condemn the suggestions made by Mr Hutch and urge him to read more about the immigration policies of Ireland before looking down on people, especially those who come to seek international protection here. No one should be treated the way he is suggesting,” the activist said in full. 

Seeking asylum is legal in Ireland. It is a human right, and anyone fleeing persecution who arrives at an Irish port of entry or is already within the state can legally apply for international protection to the International Protection Office.

Hutch also drew a distinction between what he described as “genuine” workers coming to Ireland and others, saying foreign nationals were needed to fill certain jobs.

“The other people that are coming in from foreign countries, from India and all that type of stuff, genuine people coming in – bring your toolbox, you are more than welcome,” Hutch said.

“We don’t want our kids working in McDonald’s. We need foreign nationals coming in for them jobs, whether we like it or not,” he said, adding that “we’re gone too posh”. 

“But the illegal ones, don’t give them a penny, feed them and put them on the boat and send them back.”

The government already deports asylum seekers whose applications for international protection are refused, along with other non-EEA nationals without legal permission to remain.

While voluntary returns are preferred, the state enforces deportations through the Garda National Immigration Bureau. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, and 2,111 people were confirmed to have left the country.

Six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State last year. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders.

Hutch used the appearance to appeal for votes ahead of the by-election, asking voters to give him their first preference and to transfer their support to other candidates, excluding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“I would ask people to vote me number one,” Hutch said. “Don’t give it to Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Abandon ship, a sinking ship. They’ve soaked the country, and they’re still at it.”

He also criticised media organisations, claiming interviews were “dangerous” and accusing RTÉ of wanting to “stab me in the back”.

The interview comes five days after Hutch formally entered the race for the Dublin Central by-election, which is due to take place later this month following the departure of former minister Paschal Donohoe.

Hutch, who previously secured over 3,000 first-preference votes in the constituency in the 2024 general election, has been campaigning on social media in recent weeks, and is expected to conduct some local canvassing.

His candidacy comes as legal proceedings continue in Spain, where he is on bail in connection with an investigation into alleged money laundering offences, which he denies.