Down the Flats, a play written by Mountjoy prisoner Tony Kavanagh, had its Irish premiere in the prison last week as part of an educational outreach initiative.

Performances for inmates on Wednesday and Thursday were followed by a special show on Friday in front of a distinguished invited audience, hosted by governor John Lonergan. Some of the play's actors are themselves former prisoners.

Down the Flats was presented by Mountjoy Prison Drama and Pathways Drama. Pathways is an outreach initiative of the City of Dublin VEC educational service to prisoners, providing social and educational support for the re-integration of ex-prisoners. its provides education, training, counselling and other support.

Jane Newman, a teacher in the training unit at Mountjoy, said: "This play is a metaphor for rehabilitation and breaking the cycle which leads to recidivism."

The playwright, who is currently serving a three-year sentence in Mountjoy, had a successful period with his plays in the US in the early 1990s. The production is open to the public at performances in the Crypt Arts Centre, Dublin Castle, from now until Saturday, March 2nd.