Gardaí have been notified of graffitied “Vote Hutch no.1” images near a polling station in Dublin Central.
Veteran criminal Gerry Hutch, whose face is included in the stencilled images, is running as an independent candidate in the constituency, where polling is under way today.
The images appeared immediately next to at least one polling station, St Peter’s National School in Phibsborough.
Under the Electoral Act 1992, election posters are prohibited within 100 metres of a polling place within 30 minutes of polls opening or closing, with a person contravening these rules guilty of an offence.
READ MORE
Hutch’s campaign has been asked if it is responsible for the images appearing, but did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to a query from The Irish Times, the Dublin Central returning officer said they are aware of the matter and appropriate action has been taken.
“Any issue with postering or canvassing near polling stations is a matter for the gardaí as set out in Section 147 of The Electoral Act 1992. The gardaí have been made aware of the matter. DCC (Dublin City Council) have also been notified and they are taking steps to remove the offending material.
“It is a matter for the gardaí to investigate if an offence has been committed.”
The returning officer confirmed that the candidate had also been informed of his obligations.
Dublin City Council said it had received a number of complaints “relating to images being stencilled onto public roadways and footpaths within the Central Area of the city today”.
“The Council will now be issuing fines to anyone found to have breached the Litter Pollution Acts,” its statement continued.
“Cleaning crews have been dispatched as quickly as possible to remove the images, subject to resource availability.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the matter was for the Returning Officer.
However, they also highlighted that under Section 147(2) of the Electoral Act 1992, it is an offence “during the period commencing 30 minutes before the time appointed for the taking of a poll at an election and ending 30 minutes after the close of the said poll, for a person, in or in the curtilage of a polling station, or in any place within 50 metres of such station, for the purpose of promoting the interest of a political party or furthering the candidature of a candidate or candidates or soliciting votes for a candidate or candidates or for any contrary purpose, to (among other things) display or distribute any notice, sign or poster (other than a notice, sign or poster displayed by the returning officer) or card, circular or other document relating to the election”.
In a statement, An Garda Siochána said the force “does not comment on named individuals, entities or organisations”.
It said a Garda presence was in place for polling day across the relevant districts “ensuring voters can exercise their democratic right without interference”.
It added: “Gardaí have received reports of a number of occurrences in north Dublin today, Friday 22nd May 2026.”
A comment has been sought from Dublin City Council.
