Inmates at four prisons around the State have been responsible for the single biggest voluntary production of goods by any organisation for the Special Olympic Games.
Staff and prisoners of Mount-joy, Arbour Hill, Midlands and Wheatfield prisons have been working for the past two years to produce 75,000 coloured flags for the opening ceremony, 10,000 towels for athletes and cushions for gold, silver and bronze medals.
They have also produced 21 podiums for awards, team benches and more than 50 documents in Braille for the spectators.
Mr Vincent Fitzgerald, a member of the Games organising committee which co-ordinated the project, said the work of the prisoners would be at the very heart of the games.
Seán Reilly from Blanchardstown, Dublin, who has been in Mountjoy for two years, said helping to produce the flags, towels and cushions in the workshops took his mind off other things.
"It's for the children," he said.
"I have an uncle [who has special needs] so that spurred me on. I've done a lot of bad things but it's nice I can give something back," he said.
Governors and managers of the four prisons complimented the work completed by the staff and prisoners.
At the unveiling, Governor of Mountjoy, Mr John Lonergan, said yesterday:
"They are only used to one thing and that's condemnation. Their behaviour must be condemned but if we give them the support, we're giving them an alternative."
It was "hard labour turned upside down", Mr Lonergan said.