Chevron’s Mountjoy wish fulfilled

THREE guitars belonging to Santry reared singer-songwriter Phil Chevron who died last year were presented to music student inmates in Mountjoy Prison last week.

The presentation was made by English alternative rock musician and political activist Billy Bragg under an initiative called

‘Jail Guitar Doors’ and it fulfilled one of Chevron’s final wishes made before he passed away.

The guitars were handed over during an intimate ceremony attended by former colleagues, friends and family of the late Radiators from Space and Pogues guitarist.

Chevron approached Bragg in the weeks before his death with the idea that he would make the donation of the instruments after his passing under Bragg’s Jail Guitar Doors scheme.
The initiative is committed to providing musical instruments and equipment to help rehabilitate inmates serving time across the world.

“Jail Guitar Doors believes that music can help offenders on the path to rehabilitation,

? Bragg explained.

“Phillip and I spoke about how his guitar collection could make a contribution to this process. Thanks to his insightful donation, Jail Guitar Doors is able to take its first steps in Ireland, having provided guitars to over 50 prisons in the UK in the past seven years.

?

Jail Guitar Doors has been personally backed by President Michael D Higgins and has the full support of Director General of Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan and Governor of Mountjoy Brian Murphy, who both attended last week’s ceremony.

Governor Murphy said Mountjoy Prison was honoured to accept the donation of Chevron’s guitars and for being the first prison in Ireland selected for the Jail Guitar Doors initiative.

“Music and the arts play a very important role in the rehabilitation of prisoners and it enables them to address problems in a non-confrontational way,

? he said.

“Music, as we know, has a redemptive quality and can act as catalyst for further engagement with the rehabilitative services available for prisoners in all our prison schools.

“The students in the Mountjoy Prison School have a long history of engagement in music and this donation may serve to inspire more of our offenders to get involved.

?

Chevron’s sister, Deborah Blacoe, also attended the presentation ceremony and thanked all concerned for their efforts in realising one of her brother’s final wishes.

“My brother Philip had many, many talents,

? she said.

“He used all of them to the best of his ability during his lifetime. In his inherent sense of inclusivity, he now bequeaths his favourite guitars so that others may develop their talents, perhaps leading to new and rewarding opportunities.

?

An evening to celebrate the life and work of Chevron will be held on Sunday November 23 in The Sugar Club. Chevron Lives will feature contributions from Roddy Doyle, Joseph O’Connor and The Trouble Pilgrims. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are available online at www.thesugarclub.com.THREE guitars belonging to Santry reared singer-songwriter Phil Chevron who died last year were presented to music student inmates in Mountjoy Prison last week.

The presentation was made by English alternative rock musician and political activist Billy Bragg under an initiative called

‘Jail Guitar Doors’ and it fulfilled one of Chevron’s final wishes made before he passed away.

The guitars were handed over during an intimate ceremony attended by former colleagues, friends and family of the late Radiators from Space and Pogues guitarist.

Chevron approached Bragg in the weeks before his death with the idea that he would make the donation of the instruments after his passing under Bragg’s Jail Guitar Doors scheme.
The initiative is committed to providing musical instruments and equipment to help rehabilitate inmates serving time across the world.

“Jail Guitar Doors believes that music can help offenders on the path to rehabilitation,

? Bragg explained.

“Phillip and I spoke about how his guitar collection could make a contribution to this process. Thanks to his insightful donation, Jail Guitar Doors is able to take its first steps in Ireland, having provided guitars to over 50 prisons in the UK in the past seven years.

?

Jail Guitar Doors has been personally backed by President Michael D Higgins and has the full support of Director General of Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan and Governor of Mountjoy Brian Murphy, who both attended last week’s ceremony.

Governor Murphy said Mountjoy Prison was honoured to accept the donation of Chevron’s guitars and for being the first prison in Ireland selected for the Jail Guitar Doors initiative.

“Music and the arts play a very important role in the rehabilitation of prisoners and it enables them to address problems in a non-confrontational way,

? he said.

“Music, as we know, has a redemptive quality and can act as catalyst for further engagement with the rehabilitative services available for prisoners in all our prison schools.

“The students in the Mountjoy Prison School have a long history of engagement in music and this donation may serve to inspire more of our offenders to get involved.

?

Chevron’s sister, Deborah Blacoe, also attended the presentation ceremony and thanked all concerned for their efforts in realising one of her brother’s final wishes.

“My brother Philip had many, many talents,

? she said.

“He used all of them to the best of his ability during his lifetime. In his inherent sense of inclusivity, he now bequeaths his favourite guitars so that others may develop their talents, perhaps leading to new and rewarding opportunities.

?

An evening to celebrate the life and work of Chevron will be held on Sunday November 23 in The Sugar Club. Chevron Lives will feature contributions from Roddy Doyle, Joseph O’Connor and The Trouble Pilgrims. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are available online at www.thesugarclub.com.