‘Everyone deserves a second chance’
Maguire family have employed between eight and 10 former inmates since their relationship with Loughan House began
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Cooking up a storm at Loughan House with Neven Maguire to mark the 50th anniversary of the open prison facility in Blacklion. From left: Deputy Brendan Smith (FF), Minister James Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Justice; Mark Lydon, governor of Loughan House; local celebrity chef, Neven Maguire who put on a cookery demonstration; Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF), cathoairleach of Cavan County Council; Deputy Niamh Smyth (FF) and Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind).Image 2 of 3
Great interest being shown in a cookery demonstration being put on by Neven Maguire in Loughan House last Friday afternoon.Image 3 of 3
Sinead McAtamney, with little Louisa, Corey and Aaliyah from Enniskillen with Neven Maguire.Celebrity chef Neven Maguire believes in second chances and, as a supporter of Loughan House open prison in his native Blacklion, has given ex-convicts employment over the years in his award-winning MacNean House & Bistro.
“Over the years our family have always taken inmates in to work in the restaurant or in the business. My mum and dad are no longer alive but by God were they proud of it,” enthused the popular chef on the grounds of Loughan House last Friday where he was serving up a cookery demonstration to mark the facility’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
“They [the inmates] are here to be rehabilitated, they’re doing their time and everyone deserves a second chance and opportunity.”
The Maguire family have employed between eight and 10 former inmates since their relationship with Loughan House began. The most successful of those remains employed as a chef in MacNean House.
“One of our second chefs in the restaurant was an inmate and he’s been an inspiration to us all. We look up to him. He’s hard working, loyal and he’s been a Godsend in our kitchen. He’s a great guy,” Neven says with pride radiating through his voice.
“He’s with me now for eight years and has gone from doing dishes to being my second chef out of 14 chefs. It’s a great achievement. It just shows that people deserve a second chance.”
Neven has plans to employ yet another inmate who is set to move to the open prison in the coming weeks.
“There’s a young man from Cork and he’s going to come down here and spend a bit of time. He has trained as a chef so he wants to go back into it. We’d bite our arm off for someone like that, and what a great opportunity a mile up the road. We’re definitely going to explore that.”
Neven spoke passionately about the opportunities his family business has given ex-convicts through the years, which has allowed them to change their lives.
“Nurture them, that’s what it’s all about. You have to inspire them and they have to enjoy it, that’s the key.”
Loughan House is one of the two open prisons in Ireland. It is a minimum security prison, meaning inmates are allowed to move freely in the area, allowing them to become reintroduced to society in a controlled way.
Inmates of Loughan House are required to obtain a job in the local area in order to meet the conditions securing their place in the open prison.
When the prison first opened, locals were sceptical at first about how it would impact the local rural community, however Neven believes it enhanced the area in unimaginable ways.
“We used to come up here playing football with Shannon Gaels, indoor football and then running around that pitch,” Neven says, thinking back. “It’s very much part of our community, we’re proud of it. A lot of local people work here and there’s a great spirit among the staff. It’s very important to our community.”