Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch running a number of bed and breakfasts in Lanzarote
The 61-year-old leader of the Hutch Crime Organisation has been living permanently in Lanzarote since he was acquitted of the Regency Hotel murder of Kinahan henchman David Byrne
Freed crime boss Gerry Hutch has become the king of bed and breakfasts in Lanzarote, we can reveal.
He is playing his part in trying to solve the housing crisis in the popular sunny hotspot which has seen angry street protests at excessive tourism and the rip-off cost of accomodation.
The 61-year-old leader of the Hutch Crime Organisation has opened a number of bed and breakfasts on the north of the island.
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But he has banned any tourists staying in them and instead rents the rooms at low prices to 30 to 40 workers.
The majority are given long term letting leases at a fair price and the move has won him tremendous goodwill on the island.
The Monk as he is known for his zero drugs and little alcohol lifestyle has been living permanently in Lanzarote since he was acquitted of the Regency Hotel murder of Kinahan henchman David Byrne by the Special Criminal Court in April last year.
It is understood he has steadily increased all his business interests on the island and apart from buying properties to house local workers he has also invested in a number of pubs around Lanzarote.
Irish tourists constantly meet him out and about around the bars and restaurants of Puerto Del Carmen where he lives and he openly talks to anyone who stops to chat to him.
He does however refuse to do selfies and jokes to tourists that they will only get into trouble having their picture taken with him.
Hutch and his wife live a few miles outside the town and also own two other plush apartments next to them which they only let family stay in or rent to locals.
A source said: "Gerry is building up a substantial business providing low cost rooms for local workers and the people in Lanzarote appreciate it.
"The lack of housing is a huge issue there and it has caused great tension especially with a shortage of cheap rental rooms or apartments for local workers.
"Every bit of space is being taken up by tourists at sky high prices and the locals can't afford to compete with them. Gerry Hutch has seen a gap on the market and has gone for it."
Pals say most of Gerry Hutch's business interests are now based in Lanzarote, they are registered with the Spanish authorities and he pays all his taxes there.
One insider said: " Whatever about his criminal past he is playing with a straight bat in Spain and all his businesses are legitimate and above board. He is respected by all the local business community and the police.
"He is getting huge credit for providing accomodation for local people and the move has won him a lot of respect and gratitude. He has no problem getting paid because the workers can afford it."
All summer there have been street protests all across the Canary Island at both the huge cost and the lack of apartments.
Spain is worried that the public anger will damage tourist numbers and put people off travelling to the country.
Ms de Leon of the local tourist board said; " it is still safe to visit the Canary Islands and we are delighted to welcome you."
She said she understood protestors' frustrations particularly over the issue of housing but it was unfair to blame tourists.
Gerry Hutch survived an assassination attempt in Lanzarote on New Year's Day, 2016 from two Kinahan hitmen. They failed to find him in the pub he was in and he fled out the back door.
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