Gerard Hutch has been told he can remain a free man and travel freely between Lanzarote and Ireland for the time being despite being under investigation in Spain for alleged money laundering.

GERRY Hutch will spend Christmas with his family in Ireland and then return to his home in Spain in the new year to clear his name. Crime boss The Monk has told friends he will be flying back to

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is reportedly doing well in his Dublin Central constituency, as the election remains too close to call between the three main parties.

The protracted process of sorting and counting votes in the general election has begun, with 174 TDs set to be elected across 43 constituencies over the coming days. We will have updates across the weekend as they happen.