Independent candidate Gerard Hutch, also known as ‘The Monk’, has concluded his campaign for a Dáil seat as Labour Party’s Marie Sherlock secured the fourth position in Dublin Central. The election count revealed a tight race, with Hutch initially ahead but ultimately trailing Sherlock after the distribution of surplus votes. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald led the election, followed by Gary Gannon and Paschal Donohoe. Labour leader Ivana Bacik noted the widespread public interest in this election contest.