GERRY ‘The Monk’ Hutch must take the stand in court if the case against him proceeds — Spanish authorities have told us.
The 62-year-old Dubliner remains under investigation for alleged money laundering offences but he has yet to reappear in a Lanzarote court since his initial arrest back in October 2024.
Hutch was lifted on the island as part of a major probe being led by Spanish authorities.
There was a series of raids in Lanzarote while the gardai assisted by searching his home in Clontarf, north Dublin.
Spanish authorities branded Hutch as “an alleged leader of an international gang of criminals” and he was held in Tahiche prison for a week and a half.
He was granted bail of €100,000 and returned to Ireland ahead of his bid for a Dail seat in last year’s general election.
In an update given to The Irish Sun on Sunday, a spokesman for the Canary Islands’ High Court of Justice confirmed that the probe is still ongoing.
They told us: “Mr Hutch is still under investigation. He has not reappeared at this time.
“If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the trial hearing if one is scheduled. The probe is ongoing, and its contents are not public.”
We also understand that Hutch is “likely” to be summoned to appear to testify in any preliminary investigation phase hearing if it is scheduled.
The Spanish-led probe is centred on the Hutch Organised Crime Group’s alleged use of cash from criminal activities to buy properties and vehicles in Spain.
The investigation — which saw eight others also lifted — has been ongoing for more than two years, with Gardai assisting by sharing information and evidence.
After the arrests, authorities in Spain said: “They are being probed as alleged perpetrators of money laundering crimes committed within a criminal organisation.”
In an interview last year, Hutch claimed the probe was being orchestrated by the Gardai to prevent him standing in the election.
He denied any wrongdoing when he returned back to Ireland in early November.
BACK HOME FOR DAIL RUN
Hutch ran for a Dail seat that month and just fell short in Dublin Central, finishing behind Labour’s Marie Sherlock.
Irish director Jim Sheridan told how he was “shocked” at the strong backing that Hutch had.
The My Left Foot director was following Hutch with a camera crew as part of a documentary he is making about the election and the gang boss.
“If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the trial hearing if one is scheduled. The probe is ongoing, and its contents are not public.”
Spokesman for the Canary Islands’ High Court of Justice
Speaking at the count centre in the RDS on the day Hutch failed in his election bid, the director said he was “totally surprised” at the level of support the crime boss received from voters.
He said: “I was thinking of just doing a small documentary about the election – that’s all. I never thought he’d get in or have a chance.”
RAGS TO RICHES & FAME
GERRY ‘The Monk’ Hutch could soon become a Netflix star if Jim Sheridan gets his way.
A trailer on the life story of the gangster, made by the award-winning producer and director, was sent to the global network for consideration earlier this year.
Both Netflix and Sky have indicated to Sheridan they are interested in The Monk’s rags-to-riches life story.
The director has made a trailer on the proposed real-life story and it is being sent to them.
Earlier this year a source told us: “Gerry gave Jim his full co-operation and has given him several hours of taped interviews. Some of the stuff he spoke about is incredible.
“However, some clips may have to be refilmed because they are now outdated and have been overtaken by (recent) events.
“There will be huge public interest in his story and what he has to say.
“Both Netflix and Sky are now considering it.”
Asked why he thinks people backed The Monk at the polls, Jim said: “I just think it is anger at their position. Years and years of drugs and nothing happening in that community.
“Like some people are trying to help but there has never been, like since Tony Gregory, a cohesive attitude towards it or a focused attitude.
“Sheriff Street, I think that was the one thing they got wrong because it’s like a blocked artery down there.
“It’s crazy and it’s in the shadow of all these IFSC and it’s not really a real community. It’s just one street now and you would just wish that something good was developed for it.”
DPP DECISION TO COME
Hutch refused to rule out running for public office again after failing in his attempt to win a Dail seat last year.
He has since continued to live between Ireland and Lanzarote.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions is weighing up organised crime charges against him here in Ireland.
Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court in April 2023, left, after he was acquitted of murdering the 34-year-old Kinahan cartel lieutenant David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.
