No sign of Hutch at árrest cafe..

Staff claim: 'We'd welcome him back.. we do not judge'

- OWEN CONLON

STAFF at the Spanish restaurant where The Monk was arrested say they would welcome him back to eat there.

Gerry Hutch, 60, was lifted by undercover officers at the Limoncello eatery in the southern resort town of Fuengirola in August 2021.

A specialist Guardia Civil unit had been tracking him for several weeks before moving in as he awaited his meal with a female companion.

One staff member at the restaurant told the Irish Mirror they were aware that Hutch had been cleared of murder at the Regency by the Special Criminal Court in April.

He said he knew Hutch by sight, had been present on the night of the arrest and could confirm there had been "no sign of him" since.

The Monk is known to have flown to Lanzarote four weeks after he was cleared but gardai believe he is likely to stay on the move to avoid becoming a target for Kinahan assassins.

The worker, who did not wish to be named, said Hutch would be served without problem if he walked through the door again.

He added: "For us, it's all the one.