DUBLIN CENTRAL — Independent candidate Gerry Hutch is contesting the Dublin Central by-election on Friday, with results to be announced on Saturday. The seat was vacated by Paschal Donohoe, who left the Dáil to take a position with the World Bank.

Hutch, 63, almost won a seat in the 2024 general election. An opinion poll placed him third in the current race with 14% of first preference votes. The same polling identified cost of living (33%), house prices (24%) and immigration (12%) as the most important issues for voters.

"I'm gonna use the platform to help the people who voted me in and they'll tell me what to do," Hutch said. A campaign flyer promised "leadership" and "honesty" and stated "We need change and I'm your man."

Hutch has called for tougher immigration rules during the campaign. "99% of Irish people wanted stronger rules on immigration. But you're not allowed to say that," he said. He also called for certain migrants to be interned, stating, "They should be all interned," and adding, "The ones that are Somalians and them type of people, no way. Interned."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald responded to Hutch's immigration remarks by saying, "We can't comment on other people's comments." McDonald's response came as immigration ranked among the top issues identified by voters in opinion polling ahead of the vote.

Hutch was jailed for robbery convictions in his youth and has spoken about that period of his life. He acknowledged that not all of those offences resulted in convictions, saying, "Some of them I got away with." A court named him as the leader of an organised crime group.

During canvassing, members of the public requested selfies with Hutch. Jimmy McDaid, a supporter, said he would vote for Hutch in order to clean up drug dealing in the area. "Everyone is entitled to a second chance. Look at the government – they're the gangsters, saying one thing and doing another," McDaid said.

Elaine Roe, 61, a cafe worker in the constituency, said she was following the race closely ahead of Friday's vote.