Veteran criminal came close to winning fourth and final seat after getting almost 10 per cent of first preferences

Failed election candidate Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch became a pivotal character in the story of organised crime in Ireland when he masterminded three of the biggest armed robberies in the history of the State.

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch arrived at the RDS count centre where he was running as a candidate in Dublin Central. Video: Enda O'Dowd

Newstalk’s political correspondent Sean Defoe is expecting Gerry Hutch to take the fourth seat adding, “The Monk will be a TD before all this is over”. Further down the tally, Labour’s Marie Sherlock is at 7.4%, Fianna Fáil’s Mary Fitzpatrick at 7.1% and Independent Malachy Steenson is at 4.8%.

Veteran crime boss Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has called for more gardai to police the streets and make them “clean” again. Hutch (61), who is running for election as an independent candidate in Dublin Central, made the announcement in a lengthy and high quality campaign video released on social media.

Gerard The Monk Hutch arrived to the RDS count centre to a media circus on Sunday afternoon as he was knocked out of the Dublin Central race during the final election count. Mr Hutch arrived to the count just after 3pm and stayed for 30 minutes but did not want to speak to the media.

Dublin Central's criminal candidate eventually turned up at the count centre on Sunday with a documentary film crew in tow

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There have been plenty of surprises, twists and turns in Election 2024 as results roll in from across the country