Gerard Hutch has confirmed his intention to register as an Independent candidate

Mr Hutch, who has been described by the Special Criminal Court as the head of the Hutch Organised Crime Group, fell just short of taking a seat in the constituency at the last General Election.

He confirmed his candidature in the Dyblin Central bye-election in a social media post and subsequent media interview.

Dublin Central is the constituency of Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, as well as the Social Democrats' Gary Gannon and Labour's Marie Sherlock.

The bye-election is being held to fill the seat vacated by Fine Gael's Pascal Donohoe.

Asked about Mr Hutch's intention to run, Ms McDonald, speaking at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Belfast, responded: "That's great, good for him.

I mean, people are entitled to fight the election".

She added how her focus "is on the welfare of the people of Dublin Central", which she described as a great constituency with "incredible and diverse communities" who have been "under incredible pressure" for generations.

Janice Boylan is Sinn Féin's candidate in the bye-election with Fine Gael running Ray McAdam, the Social Democrats have Daniel Ennis and Fianna Fáil's candidate is John Stephens.

The Labour Party is running Ruth O'Dea, while Janet Horner is contesting for the Green Party.

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin of People Before Profit, Ian Noel Smyth of Aontú and Independent Malachy Steenson are also running.

Nominations close at midday on Friday 1 May.

Read more: Dublin Central constituency profile