Concern growing at prospect of Hutch win in by-election

Concern is growing within the two Coalition parties about the internal consequences of a Gerry Hutch victory in the Dublin Central by-election.

Though Sinn Féin, followed by the Social Democrats, are bookmakers’ favourites, Government sources refused to rule out a Hutch win.

The unease about such a victory was summarised by one minister, who asked: ‘What message will it send about the state of the main parties if we elect a convicted criminal?’

But a source sympathetic to the Hutch campaign said: ‘For the voters, everything is corrupt. Hutch is no longer unique; he just has a bigger profile.

‘Yes Hutch is under investigation but so was Bertie Ahern. If Catherine Connolly was employing members of Eirigí, is Hutch worse?’

Concern is high within Fianna Fáil, where one source warned: ‘For now, while he is facing the wrath of Donald Trump, [party leader] Micheál [Martin] is effectively secure.

‘Taking him on before his St Patrick’s “Day of Destiny” in the Oval Office could be portrayed as an act of national sabotage.

But if FF takes a drubbing in the by-elections, that could change. Support could melt for Micheál very quickly.’

Significantly, the election has already attracted the attention of key Trump strategist Steve Bannon who has pledged to create an Irish Trump.

Though the Trump-party apparatus is not connected to Mr Hutch, he is seen as a MAGA-style radical outsider.