In 1979, to celebrate the momentous occasion of Pope John Paul coming to Ireland, the Department of Justice decided to grant early release to 76 prisoners - a Papal Amnesty.
Producer Susan O’Loghlin previews this weekend's Documentary On One production, which tells the story of 'The Pope's Prisoners'.
The Pope’s Prisoners marks the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland this August by looking back at the visit of the first ever Pope to this country - Pope John Paul II, who came here for three days in September 1979.
History, with its habit of repeating itself, has two interesting stories that connect the visit of Pope Francis with that of Pope John Paul II.
One relates to Sean McDermott Street in Dublin’s north inner city – the other - to prisons.
Earlier this year, with prisons a common feature on his international itineraries, it was rumoured that Pope Francis might visit an Irish prison. Back in 1979, prisons also made Irish papal history. As a gesture to the Vatican to celebrate the papal visit, the Irish government proposed the early release of a number of prisoners. Such a magnanimous move would mean that the newly released prisoners would, like everyone else in the country have the opportunity to go visit the Pope - if they so wished.
But some in the higher echelons of the civil service got cold feet. Aware of the large number of homes that would be left unoccupied because of the masses going off to see the Pope, fears were expressed of a possible ‘burglary blitz’ by those just let out of prison. As a result - the amnesty was tweaked.
Former prison officers and those who worked with prisoners are just some of the people who tell the story of the amnesty and prison life in 1979. And although none of the prisoners who got out early because of the amnesty got to see the Pope, there was a group who did. They came from Mountjoy Prison.
They were a group of prisoners who were part of the Community Work Party scheme. This was a team of prisoners and prison officers who left the prison every weekday morning and travelled around Dublin building community centres and scout dens.
The work parties built 30 dens and community centres around Dublin from 1978 to 2009, when it was abruptly ended. Significantly, 80% of the prisoners on those work parties had work with building companies waiting for them when they left prison at the end of their sentence.
Not too far down the road from Mountjoy is Sean McDermott Street. Back in 1979, locals hoped their unofficial local saint, the recovered alcoholic, turned ascetic Matt Talbot might get in a look in from the Pope as his motorcade made its way from Dublin Airport onto the Áras and other venues. But Pope John Paul’s first day had been pretty hectic and he was well behind schedule.
Fast forward to 2018, locals still have faith and hope that the current Pope might stop at Sean McDermott Street - this time across the road to the former site of a Magdelene Laundry – locally known as ‘The Gloucester Laundry’.
These stories are told in tandem alongside archive radio commentary which captures the enormity of the event among the Irish people bringing us full circle to 2018.
Documentary on One: The Pope’s Prisoners. RTÉ Radio 1 Saturday 4th August 2018 at 1pm, with a repeat on Sunday 5th August 2018 at 7pm - listen to more from Documentary On One here.
