Concerns over housing and immigration make for a volatile campaign in Ireland's election

DUBLIN (AP) — From his poster, there’s not much to distinguish Gerry Hutch from the slew of other independent candidates hoping discontented voters will propel them into Ireland’s parliament in an election on Friday.

“We need change, and I’m your man,” it says. On the streets of Dublin, some voters agree — despite the candidate’s unusual background.

Prosecutors say Gerry “the Monk” Hutch heads an international crime group involved in robbery and drug smuggling. He was acquitted last year of murdering a gangland rival. This month he was bailed in Spain's Canary Islands on money-laundering charges and allowed to return to Ireland to run for election.

“I’d love if he got in,” said Derek Richardson, an unemployed Dubliner unimpressed by the big-party politicians. “There’s plenty of other gangsters out there in suits.”