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Joys of Joy: Finding Myself in an Irish Prison

by Gary Cunningham

  

ISBN: 9781908308979

'I sentence you to three and a half years,' bellowed the immaculately well-kept Judge Bolan ...'Thank you VERY much Judge Bolan, ya sanctimonious prick' were the words that came flooding into my mind as the walls of Court 5 came closing in on top of me ...but who was I kidding? So begins Gary Cunningham's remarkable memoir about his time in Mountjoy Prison. Occasionally harrowing but more often hilariously funny, Joys of Joy offers an honest account of Gary's experiences as a prisoner. Raised in a stable, middle class family, Gary had never been in trouble before an alcohol and drug problem led to a stupid mistake that was his downfall. As Gary says in his Preface: 'I will take you inside one of Ireland's most famous jails and guide you through what was one of the most frightening, exciting rollercoaster rides I have ever embarked on. In no way will I try to glorify prison life, nor will I regale you with tales of bloodshed and torture. This is just my honest account of how getting myself in serious trouble with the law and ending up in Mountjoy, and subsequently Loughan House, was a truly life changing experience for me.'
Little did Gary know when he went through the prison gates as a terrified first-timer that inside those walls he would create a successful rock band, win two writing competitions, form a prisoners' committee and meet some of the most remarkable people - prisoners and staff alike - who would literally save his life. As Gary says, 'This is my story...This is my journey...This is feckin' CRAZY!' [continued] An Extract from Joys of Joy 'On the Bus' I was left on my own for what seemed like an eternity, the fear now truly choking my subconscious into submission. My mind was in the middle of another horrible scenario, played out like that of a true Hitchcock classic, when I was jolted back to reality by the sound of keys rattling in the blood red cell door. 'You right Thomas?' came the words from a friendly, grey-haired officer, who looked like he has been in this job since he could walk. ('Not really,' I thought, 'for you see there has been a heinous mistake, one which this Court should feel really embarrassed over, for you see, I'm feckin' innocent!') 'Yes guard', I reply noting a slight quiver in my voice.
'I'm not a guard son, and don't go calling the officers in The Joy guard neither. We're officers son.' 'Sorry ...thanks', I reply. 'Ah you're grand. Now, put the hands together Thomas, I have to put the auld bracelets on in case ya try to do a runner!' I raise both my hands, and realise for the first time that I'm trembling, a small bead of sweat beginning its descent from my hair-line. 'First time locked up son?' asks the officer in a real aul Dubs' voice. 'Yeah,' I reply. 'You'll be grand son, don't worry. Keep the head down and just get on with things', he says in a calming tone. There is something about this officer ...a warmth. I wouldn't insult him by guessing his age, but his grey hair and worn face tell the tale of a man who has seen a lot of comings and goings in this place, so I find some comfort in his words. He clamps both of my wrists with the cuffs, taking care not to make them too uncomfortable, and then leads me down a brilliant white corridor, which after several twists and turns, brings us into a large open area where the prison vans await ...wait to bring the cattle to the slaughterhouse...Jaysus, my head is racing with crazy, and most probably ridiculous, thoughts.
I'm led on to a bus. Now I mu

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Date of Publication: 05/04/2017

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