Gerry Hutch immigration comments show dark side of Irish politics

James Cox

Here, we take a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Hutch immigration comments

Employees of third-level institutions, school teachers and civil servants were among those posting anti-migrant comments in a far-right Facebook group, responding to statements from by-election candidate Gerry Hutch.

'Ireland - Rising from the Ashes (Ireland for the Irish)' asked members: "Would you intern illegals in the Curragh?"

This comes after comments from Hutch, who said “illegal immigrants”, including Somalis, who were “mooching” their way into the country, should be interned in the Curragh.

The Special Criminal Court has named Hutch as the head of the Hutch Gang, a Dublin-based, international organised crime group. The Hutch Gang has been involved in a feud with the Kinahan Cartel, which has resulted in 18 murders.

Hutch, known as 'The Monk', previously ran in the general election in 2024.

The post in the group read: "A candidate in the upcoming bielection [sic] made the suggestion that illegals should be interned in The Curragh. What do you think?"

The replies in the public group, many of them which contained racist slurs, came from people who listed their employment at third-level institutions, schools, and even in a government department.

One person, who listed their employment at Trinity College, wrote: "Spike Island would suit perfectly."

While Hutch apologised for the comments and firmly insisted he is not a racist, they certainly inflamed racist outbursts in groups like this public Facebook forum.

It also shows a dark side entering Irish politics. While far-right figures have had little success, it shows Ireland is not immune to anti-immigrant rhetoric, along with threats against other minority groups.

Taoiseach defends Fianna Fáil on housing

Fianna Fáil “made a difference” when it took over the housing portfolio, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin said his party had historically made “very significant achievements” in housing.

Fianna Fáil assumed the housing portfolio in 2020 when Darragh O’Brien was made the minister in the department, as the party entered into coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party.

James Browne took over the department in 2025, following an election and the formation of a coalition where the Greens were replaced by several independents.

Prior to O’Brien’s term, the portfolio had been held by Fine Gael ministers Eoghan Murphy and Simon Coveney.

Speaking on Virgin Media’s Monday with Gavan Reilly, Martin said there was an attitude in his party to “get things done”.

HSE warned of patient risk without delivery of new Mid West hospital

The Medical Board of HSE Mid West has issued an "unprecedented recommendation" to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

It stated that risks to patient care at University Hospital Limerick "remain intolerable and unacceptable, despite repeated warnings from frontline clinicians, hospital management, national oversight bodies, and patient advocates".

Abroad

UK prime minister Keir Starmer is coming under increasing pressure to resign.

Starmer faces the biggest leadership crisis of his premiership as Cabinet ministers including the UK home secretary reportedly urged him to consider his position and government aides quit their posts.

Shabana Mahmood is said to have privately called for an orderly transition of power on Monday night as 75 out of Labour’s 403 MPs demanded the British prime minister stand down after the party’s electoral mauling last week.

Donald Trump has said his vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio would be a “dream team” for the White House.

But the US president did not make clear who he would prefer as a possible successor and to run for the top job.

He also made clear it did not mean “you have my endorsement under any circumstance”.

Trump made his remarks after he invited guests at a dinner in the White House Rose Garden to clap for either man in an ad hoc popularity contest.

Decrying potential Democratic opponents, including former vice president Kamala Harris and outgoing California governor Gavin Newsom, he said there were “a lot of beauties out there JD”.

He said: “I envy you and other people, I don’t know.

“Who is it going to be? Is it going to be JD? Is it going to be somebody else? I don’t know.”