Gerard Hutch, the Dublin crime figure also known as The Monk, remains in strong contention to win the fourth and final seat in the Dublin Central constituency. Monk could be, in the Dail, Why are so many, Elites Surprised?

Hutch (61), a surprise contender in the election when he lodged papers earlier this month declaring his candidacy, received 3,098 first preference votes, or 9.5 per cent of the vote in the first count.

The vote put him in fourth position in the race in the four-seater constituency behind three sitting TDs – Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon – though almost 3,500 votes short of the quota.

He remained in fourth position after the six count on Saturday night when counting adjourned for the night until Sunday morning at 10am.