Former Mountjoy governor visits Waterford Helping the Homeless
John Lonergan pictured with Susie Moran and some of the lads from Waterford Helping the Homeless.
Former Governor of Mountjoy prison, John Lonergan, paid a visit to Waterford Helping the Homeless to speak with people living on the street.
Mr Lonergan spoke a group of service users for about an hour giving them an insight into his more than four decades working in the Irish prison service.
Those gathered had the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences.
Manager of Waterford Helping the Homeless, Susie Moran, said when she reached out to Mr Lonergan, he responded straight away and said he would love to visit.
“We are delighted, and the lads are delighted.
“They all sat there and just enjoyed listening to him and listening to his thoughts on life outside of the bars and life inside. It was very good. I enjoyed it,” said Susie.
Mr Lonergan worked in Irish prisons for 42 years.
He is best known for running Mountjoy Prison, but he also worked in Limerick, Portlaoise and at Shanganagh Castle.
He has written two books and gives talks in schools and community groups.
During his visit to Waterford, Mr Lonergan spoke about how prisons have grown in Ireland since the 1980s and how, in particular, the laws about incarcerating children have changed.
He said that when he started his career there were only around 600 prisoners in Ireland and that has risen significantly top almost 6,000.
Overcrowding, he said, is a huge issue which supports a “culture” of drug use in prisons and the effect it can have on the mental health of a group in society that needs space to change.
Mr Lonergan said that while during his time at Mountjoy Prison he made a lot of changes, he sees it as simply treating those incarcerated as human rather than special.
This, he believes, is essential to people turning their life around, but that personal responsibility and having the right services in place were also vital for supporting life outside of prison.
Mr Lonergan gave his view on the role addiction and peer groups play in crime and recidivism, but emphasised that in both cases, individuals make choices and that they must choose to change.
But he also said that part of his work at Mountjoy was looking at the person behind the crime and helping to change public perception of incarcerated people.
Service users at the unit shared some of their experiences living on the street and the decisions they must make.
They said Waterford Helping the Homeless provides them with more than just a meal, but a routine and a place to go when they need support.
Susie shared how the unit started and some of the challenges they see for people on the street.
She said the unit does not get a lot of visitors and so Mr Lonergan coming along meant a lot.
“We have a good team, and we do our best to bring in people who can help give them some insight about addiction or whatever.
“You saw that today. We are just trying as a little group to do our best,” said Susie.
While homelessness is an all-year-round problem, each season brings its own challenges.
The group is asking for donations of hats, gloves and sleeping bags.
Food items of any kind and soft drinks are also appreciated.
Susie and the lads would also like to wish one of their own, co-founder Victor, a speedy recovery.
Victor is recovering from surgery, and Susie and the gang wish him all the best.
“The public will know Victor, and they have seen him all over Facebook. Just to acknowledge him as well,” said Susie.
