Gerry Hutch Calls for «Illegal Immigrant» Internment; MASI Condemns Remarks

Gerry «The Monk» Hutch, a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, has called for «illegal immigrants» to be interned. Speaking at a public campaign event yesterday at Corinthians Boxing Club in Dublin, Hutch told far-right councillor Gavin Pepper that those «brought into the country» illegally should be detained in camps like the Curragh Camp, fed, but denied money and housing, until «sorted.» He claimed they are «mooching their way into Southern Ireland because it’s a freebie and they’re getting paid.»

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) co-founder, Lucky Khambule, «strongly condemned» Hutch's comments, calling them «really upsetting» and a «complete disregard» for human beings. Khambule urged Hutch to learn about Ireland's immigration policies, emphasizing that seeking asylum is a legal human right. Hutch differentiated between «genuine» foreign workers, like those from India needed for jobs, and «illegal ones,» stating the latter should be deported without money.

Ireland already deports asylum seekers whose applications are refused and non-EEA nationals without legal permission. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, and 2,111 people left the country. Last year, six charter flights removed 205 people. Hutch, who secured over 3,000 first-preference votes in the 2024 general election, is also on bail in Spain for alleged money laundering, which he denies. He appealed for first-preference votes, urging voters to avoid Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.