'Send them to Spike Island': Hutch's immigration comments inspire far-right Facebook group
James Cox
Employees of third-level institutions, school teachers and civil servants were among those posting anti-migrant comments in a far-right Facebook group, responding to statements from by-election candidate Gerry Hutch.
'Ireland - Rising from the Ashes (Ireland for the Irish)' asked members: "Would you intern illegals in the Curragh?"
This comes after comments from Hutch, who said “illegal immigrants”, including Somalis, who were “mooching” their way into the country, should be interned in the Curragh.
The Special Criminal Court has named Hutch as the head of the Hutch Gang, a Dublin-based, international organised crime group. The Hutch Gang has been involved in a feud with the Kinahan Cartel, which has resulted in 18 murders.
Hutch, known as 'The Monk', previously ran in the general election in 2024.
The post in the group read: "A candidate in the upcoming bielection [sic] made the suggestion that illegals should be interned in The Curragh. What do you think?"
The replies in the public group, many of them which contained racist slurs, came from people who listed their employment at third-level institutions, schools, and even in a government department.
One person, who listed their employment at Trinity College, wrote: "Spike Island would suit perfectly."
Spike Island is an island of 103 acres in Cork Harbour, off the coast of Cobh. It was an historical monastic settlement and was once used as a prison.
Among the replies to this comment, one person said: "Can you fill it with shark infested water?" Another added: "Drop them 20km out at sea, anyone who makes it back can stay [followed with a laughter emoji]".
Someone who listed their employment as at the Department of Eduction wrote: "Absolutely, I think they should all be kept in one place until vetted and documented. I mean, would you let a stranger move into your house?"
A response from someone who said they were an employee at Temple Street Children's Hospital said: "Spike Island, back to Cork with mehole Martin."
Someone who listed their status as "retired from Irish Army", wrote: "Portlaoise Prison is almost empty. Ideal." An "Irish Naval Service veteran" said: "Out on the Blaskets."
An insurance company worker wrote: "All criminals, send them back."
A secondary school teacher from the Cork region said: "In the ocean." An employee at Maynooth University said: "Just deport straight away."
Someone who listed themselves as a member of the Defence Forces said: "Send them all away on entry."
A responder who listed their role as volunteer at Alone, a charity for older people, wrote: "Not interned. Put on the first plane out of the country. They have sponged enough off the hard working Irish citizens."
Another who said they were a HSE carer stated: "Spike Island, all criminals."
Other comments on the post were too racist and violent in nature to re-publish.
While the group has no clear political affiliation, it has many posts critical of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Labour candidate in the Galway South by-election Helen Ogbu, and People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger.
It also shares many posts from Independent Ireland TDs and Dublin City councillor Malachy Steenson.
Responding to criticism over his comments, Hutch told The Irish Times: "If I said something that was racist, I apologise. We were in the club and I was talking to a lad and a few things came up.
“I’m not racist. I have friends – Indians, blacks, whites, all colours. I’m certainly not racist.”
He added: "I will say if you come into Ireland and you have no paperwork, you should not be put into a hotel and given a few quid... Listen, there are people coming into the country and we don’t know who they are. I don’t think they should be put into hotels and given money. I’m not into that."
While Hutch apologised for the comments and firmly insisted he is not a racist, they certainly inflammed racist outbursts in groups like this public Facebook forum.
