Page 7 - COBH EDITION 5th APRIL DIGITAL VERSION

“Maria O’Sullivan creates exquisite imaginings of the restless world we inhabit. “ – ARTis-
Spectrum Magazine, NYC

“My work is a complete reflection of my own personality, where each line is a record of
my own state of mind, indecision, progression and intersecting thoughts. As I navigate
through my work my mindset often shifts and thus so does my drawing: It is in a con-
stant state of change.”
Article: Pat Carroll (Cobh Edition)
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CRUISE LINER GUIDE APRIL - JUNE 2019

Apr 9th at 10:30 MAGELLAN 1794pax Cobh Dep: Apr 9th at 20:00
Apr 14th at 08:30 MARINA 1258pax Cobh Dep: Apr 14th at 19:00
Apr 20th at 06:30 SAGA SAPPHIRE 752pax Cobh Dep: Apr 20th at 12:00
Apr 20th at 08:00 MARCO POLO 922pax Ringaskiddy Dep: Apr 20th at 20:00
Apr 25th at 06:30 L’AUSTRAL 264pax Cobh Dep: Apr 25th at 18:00
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‘Shivs and Shanks’ Exhibition at Spike Island

Spike Island has opened a new permanent exhibit entitled the ‘Shivs and shanks’
exhibition, which features improvised weapons confiscated in Irish prisons. Many of the
frightening weapons were fashioned from everyday items and show the daily dangers
faces by prison officers and the prisoners themselves, with hundreds of similar items
confiscated by the Irish Prison Service annually.

The modern prison on Spike Island was open from 1985 to 2004 and over the years
dozens of improvised weapons were confiscated, including razor blades melted into
toothbrush heads, butter knives sharpened and even ‘double blade’ weapons that caused
wounds that could not be stitched and required glue to bind them. Often mis-described
as a ‘holiday camp’ for young offenders, the confiscation of the weapons shows it was far
from a safe environment, with violence between Cork and limerick gangs always a threat.

Speaking at the launch, Ger Manley, chief officer of Cork prison in the Irish Prison Service
said the dangers are all too apparent for prison officers. “People sometimes forget that
prison officers are unarmed and face this daily danger never really knowing what the out-
come will be”. There are almost daily assaults in Irish prisons as gang violence increases
the risk for both prisoners and prison officers. The issue of violence in Irish prisons was
highlighted in a 2018 report that showed over half of the prisoner population in Mountjoy
were currently in ‘protective regimes’, to keep them safe from escalation gang violence.

Island manager John Crotty said the exhibition highlights the need for continued support
of prison officers and the Irish Prison Service for the difficult work they carry out. “Spike
Island was a prison in the 1850’s 1920’s and again from 1985 to 2004, and in each of
these era’s we see records showing violence was a daily threat for the men and women
charged with housing the offenders. The Irish Prison service must be supported in the
difficult task that they undertake, and we hope this exhibition highlights that need and
will make the general public aware of the situation”.

The items can now be viewed in the 1980’s prison cells on Spike Island. Boats
run weekends and half terms in March and April and 7 days a week
May to September.