A FORMER top Garda has called on Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch to be “transparent” over his finances during the election campaign.
Retired Supt Martin Mooney, who was based in Hutch’s old stomping ground, believes voters are entitled to know how he funded his property empire.
Mr Mooney, who also led the investigation into the murder of Eddie Hutch, told of his surprise over the Monk’s decision to stand in next week’s election.
The ex-guard also told how he would like to see Hutch debating key issues with other candidates.
Mr Mooney said: “He has to be open with the voters and he should tell them where his money came from.
“Gerry Hutch is idolised in the north inner city because he was seen as the saviour of the Corinthians boxing club.
“When I was a young guard in Store Street he was seen as anti-drugs by many in the community.
“But his nephew Gary was immersed in the world of drugs because he was a key figure in the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.
“His decision to stand seems to have come out of the blue but he has to be open with his community and the voters.”
Before his nephew Gary’s murder in Spain in September 2015, Gary was classified in a Spanish police file as having “equal status” to Daniel Kinahan.
It was only when Gary tried to kill Daniel in 2014 was the Monk asked to mediate between the pair.
Although the Monk had arranged a meeting and an agreement was reached, the Kinahan mob still murdered Gary.
Following the murder of Gary Hutch, another 17 people would go on to lose their lives in Ireland’s deadliest feud.
Mr Mooney spoke to us after the Monk outlined his plans in the Crimeworld podcast by Nicola Tallant.
The former Supt added: “I still can’t believe Gerry Hutch did an interview but he probably realised he needs to get his message out there.
“I also think that if he’s elected he should tell us if he remembers where he was on the day of Regency.
“I’d also like to know why he spent ten hours in a car with Jonathan Dowdall.
“These are all important questions that he might have to answer – especially if he gets elected.”
WHAT IS A GENERAL ELECTION & WHEN DOES ONE TAKE PLACE?
A GENERAL election is held in Ireland at least every five years in order to vote for who will represent the Irish public in Dail Eireann.
As Ireland is a parliamentary democracy, voting must be held in order for the public to collectively choose who will represent people in Government and what parties will form the Government.
In a General Election, the public votes for members of Dail Eireann who go on to become Teachta Dala – TDs.
According to the Irish Constitution – a General Election must be held every five years and cannot go on for longer than five years.
However, the Dail can be ‘dissolved’ at any time to call an early or snap election.
The President is responsible for dissolving the Dail and this process usually takes place on the advice of the Taoiseach.
The President can only refuse to dissolve the Dail if the government does not have a majority of TDs in the Dail.
A General Election can also be called if the Taoiseach or Government lose a vote of no confidence.
Or in the instance where a coalition party – the smaller party that joins with larger parties to form a government – withdraws its support for those in government.
This is called a dissolution and a general election must take place within 30 days of the dissolution of the Dail.
Once the Dail is dissolved a polling day must be set by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government – the roll currently held by Fianna Fail TD Darragh O’Brien.
