Ex-Fianna Fail Minister explains why he was spotted on Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch campaign trail
Exclusive: 'He’s a terribly interesting figure,' he says.
Ex-Fianna Fail Minister Conor Lenihan has insisted he isn't endorsing Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch on his election campaign – but admitted he is the only interesting candidate running for the Dail.
Earlier this week, Oscar nominated film director Jim Sheridan revealed he was making a documentary with the veteran crime boss after he was spotted filming part of the Dubliner’s campaign trail.
Mr Sheridan revealed ex-Fianna Fail Minister Conor Lenihan was helping him interview The Monk as part of a documentary.
READ MORE: Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch calls for more gardai on the streets to make them 'clean' again
But Conor – who served as Minister of State from 2004 to 2011 - exclusively told us his reasons why he is working with Mr Sheridan – insisting he was not endorsing Hutch.
He told us: “I’m a friend of Jim Sheridan’s for a long time and we’ve worked on documentaries and films together. We’ve worked quite a bit together over a number of years. I was a co producer on Moscow Never Sleeps. It was made by an Irish director called Johnny O’Reilly.
“I’ve an interest in the film business and have raised money for investment for movies over the years.
“I was talking to Jim last week and I was saying that this was a rather tame election that is happening here, why not do a documentary on possibly the world’s most interesting candidate that is in the race – Gerry Hutch.
“This was extraordinary, and it is literally worthy of a documentary, whether he wins the election or not is immaterial. He’s a terribly interesting figure and it’s more than interesting that he is running for election.
“Jim thought it was a great idea, and he had some connections to him.
“I did an interview with him on Tuesday in Corinthians boxing club. Jim suggested I do the interview.
“It’s not about me, it’s about Jim and getting the documentary right.
“Obviously I’m a former journalist, I think that it would be good if I interviewed him and I’m a former Minister, it is ironic and interesting because here I am, I was in the Dail and my career is largely over.
“A man who is the same age as me and is going for election. There is an irony in that, and I hope that isn’t lost on the viewers.”
The former TD for Dublin South West explained the documentary will be more than just Hutch and his political aspirations.
“The documentary is really about the motivations and the man. A man who has spent his whole life in trouble and in and out of jail and now he is running. And he’s obviously a very well-known figure.
“We’re not coming at it exclusively about the elections. The broader picture that Jim has in mind is a picture portrait of someone who has been heavily involved in and been accused of murdered and proven not guilty.
“Now he’s running for politics.”
Mr Lenihan – who is the son of late TD Brian Lenihan - insisted they are not part of his campaign.
“We’re not part of the campaign. I only came in for a half an hour and did a sit-down interview with him for about 20 minutes. Jim is also interviewing him as well. It is much bigger than just the elections.
“The interview was very much about motivation and intent. What in fact was the purpose of him running and why had he chosen this time to run for election. The interview was somewhat hard-edged in some respects. I think there will be a lot of interest.”
Mr Lenihan revealed Hutch has been inundated with offers for interviews internationally by some of the world’s biggest media groups.
“We’re lucky we got our interview. Bloomberg and Financial Times are covering it. He’s got a stack of interview offers.”
Conor added that he hopes The Monk will be able to show his personality because: “We’d been totally dependent on crime correspondents’ depiction on him rather than meeting the real person etc.”
“So I think Jim is right. I found him perfectly civil. There is nothing intimidating about him at all.”
On Monday, Mr Sheridan exclusively told us: “In my interaction with him, I don’t see him as that kind of intimidating figure.”
Mr Sheridan and Hutch didn’t know each other growing up but he felt “compelled” to tell his story. He even donated a boxing ring and equipment to Hutch’s boxing club, Corinthians, back in 1997.
“I gave him some equipment and a ring from The Boxer when we made it in 1997 for the gym that Kellie Harrigton came out of, Corinthians.
“He was from Corporation Street, and I was from Sheriff Street.
“No, he was too young (growing up). He’s 15 years younger than me but he’s the same age as Conor Lenihan. They’re only a month apart.
“Conor was really compelled by this story like ‘here’s this lad educated in Belvedere College’ in the constituency and he becomes Government Minister. The Monk goes to jail and the contrast between them I thought was interesting.
“I think there is probably a lot of international interest.”
On Monday, the pair were spotted filming while Hutch canvassed the streets in Dublin’s city centre.
Jim explained: “We just did some colour today and ‘ll do a little bit more tomorrow.
“If he gets elected it is one type of story, if he doesn’t, then it is a piece of colour.
“I just followed him around in his constituency. I was interested in what people had to say to be honest. That’s all. I just wanted to see what it was like if I followed him door to door.”
Asked if he was fearful walking around with Hutch, he said: “I don’t have that DNA in me. Like I did a movie with 50 Cent… there would be a lot of interest in The Monk if he got elected and I think we have an American President who before he was President was a felon.
“I don’t know what it is going to be. It’s just grabbing something before the election and seeing what happens. I haven’t even approached anybody, but I probably will see if anyone is interested.”
Asked if he thought Hutch would get elected, Mr Sheridan said at the time: “I’m not sure. People are going to say when you’re going around. In my interaction with him, I don’t see him as that kind of intimidating figure.”
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