Gerry "The Monk" Hutch has ruled out a run for the Áras as he admitted that he enjoyed running in the general election campaign.
"I love running. I've been running all my life," he told reporters who gathered around him in a large scrum.
Mr Hutch, who was recently allowed to travel back from Spain while on bail for money laundering charges, was in the running to secure a seat in Dublin Central until the final count.
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The seat was eventually won by the Labour Party's Marie Sherlock. As counting resumed in the RDS on Sunday morning, Mr Hutch took an early lead as he took 1,262 transfers from Malachy Steenson and opened up a 2,000 lead on Ms Sherlock.
However, she benefited from transfers from the Social Democrat's Gary Gannon, Fianna Fáil's Mary Fitzpatrick and Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe.
Ms Sherlock finished the race on 6,102 votes, while Mr Hutch had 5,321 votes. He arrived at the RDS just after 3pm and stayed for over 30 minutes. Shortly before the final count was announced, he walked over to Ms Sherlock and conceded and wished her well ahead of the final declaration.
From his arrival, Mr Hutch was followed around the RDS by the media. When questions were put to him about the trial at the Special Criminal Court, he told a reporter to "go back down the Special Criminal Court and ask them". "This is an election," he added.
Security guards crowded around him, but Mr Hutch initially answered questions from journalists. He ruled out a run for the Presidency but said he would "consider" running again for the Dáil and "anything is possible".
As the media circled around him, he said he was "a bit camera shy" and said "there is never a guard around when you need one".
"I'm running all my life, I love running," he said. "I'm too young for the presidency." Asked why so many people voted for him, he said, "Because they were looking for change. They're looking for change and if I got elected in, I would give them the change that they want. "I would do what they want. I would do whatever they want.
"How I done so well is because the people voted me and I'm happy with that." Asked if he was surprised by how well he did, he said he expected to perform well in the election.
When questions about extradition and going back to Spain were posed, Mr Hutch stood with his back to the media huddle for several minutes but did not answer questions from the media. He did, however, face photographers taking still photos. "This is a joke," he was heard saying to one of his associates.
He later took out his phone to film the media huddle around him. As he leaned over the barrier with the media standing behind him, one counter said, "Would you like a cup of tea, Gerry?" He later said that he wanted the media "away from me".
Mr Hutch was later walked by security over to Ms Sherlock as she awaited for the final count in Dublin Central. "I hope you do good work," he said. "I'll be in touch with everyone who has been elected and yourself in the future."
Ms Sherlock thanked him and said she would be a "voice for everyone in Dublin Central". "I'm in the heart of the constituency and it needs proper representation," she said.
"Thank you for your good wishes." He responded: "Someone like me had to run to shake it up and let them know it's needed. Certain parties think they own the show."
Shortly later, he left the RDS. He was joined by Jim Sheridan for a short period and stood facing the media. "Good luck lads, good luck," Mr Hutch said.
He then started walking down the driveway of the RDS Simmonscourt before breaking into a job towards the gate and down Simmonscourt Road.
Mr Hutch was in contention for the final seat in Dublin Central for several counts but transferred results in Ms Sherlock crossing the line. She will join Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Social Democrat Gary Gannon and Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe in the Dáil.
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