Gerard Hutch intends to run in election, Spanish court hears

Gerard Hutch, the man known as The Monk, has indicated to a court in Spain that he intends to stand for election in Ireland.

Yesterday, the 61-year-old was given back his passport when he was granted bail of €100,000 while a police investigation continues.

The presiding magistrate heard from Gerard Hutch's legal counsel that the Dubliner intended on running in an "electoral process" and required his passport to do so.

He had been in custody in Lanzarote since the end of October after being arrested by Spanish police investigating money laundering.

A spokesman for the High Court in the Canary Islands confirmed that apart from the €100,000 bail security required of the "Irish citizen released from prison in Lanzarote" to ensure his presence at trial, "no other precautionary measure has been imposed on him."

It is understood that Hutch outlined in his bail application that he wished to run as an election candidate that required free movement to do so.

He will now be entitled to travel between the Canary Islands and Ireland while he is under investigation by Spanish police.

The Magistrate in the Canary Islands ruled that only a final ruling in a case could prevent a person standing for election.

Hutch was one of up to 10 people arrested last month by members of La Guardia Civil investigating money laundering.

One person remains in custody. Hutch was granted bail yesterday morning and had his passport returned.

A court spokesman in the Canary Islands said the nature of court proceedings remain secret.

In April last year, Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court in Dublin after being found not guilty of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.

In 2000 the Dubliner paid over one million pounds to the Criminal Assets Bureau.

He has Spanish residency but also maintains a home in Clontarf which was recently searched as part of the Spanish led investigation.