The sponsored podcast featured prison staff speaking about life working in an Irish jail and the advantages of a job in the penal system.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has confirmed that a fee of €20,000, plus €4,600 in Vat, was agreed with the Tipperary entertainers Jonathon ‘Johnny Smacks’ McMahon and John ‘Johnny B’ O’Brien for the show.
The IPS said “editorial adjustments” had been made before the podcast was released to ensure none of the content compromised security.
Internal emails describe how The 2 Johnnies hosts were “very interested” in working with the prison service and offered a bespoke deal to promote careers there.
A message said: “[The] bespoke commercial package would be a feature interview on the podcast – ie two officers – one male, one female, one that is newly recruited two-three years’ service and the other 10-15years’ service being interviewed… about their roles.”
Jonathon ‘Johnny Smacks’ McMahon and John ‘Johnny B’ O’Brien host The 2 Johnnies Podcast
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 23rd
Two officers were given a primer by the IPS on questions to expect and suggested answers.
These included the earning potential of up to €70,000 in their first year of service, based on starting pay as well as allowances for additional hours and a seven-day roster.
It said: “Once fully qualified, prison officers receive salaries ranging from €46,492 to €59,681, based on experience.”
Other proposed questions included what training entailed, helping inmates with their rehabilitation, as well as safety in often overcrowded jails.
The briefing said: “Personal safety is a common concern – how is this managed?”
In discussions with The 2 Johnnies, the IPS also said it would require oversight of the final product for security reasons.
The 2 Johnnies Jonathon ‘Johnny Smacks’ McMahon and John ‘Johnny B’ O’Brien
A message to it from the podcast said: “The editing process is done in one day, so that will leave plenty of time for edits.
“The way it works, I’ll ask you on the day are there any parts you want taken out, and we take them out in the edit. That’s how it worked with the guards and army, and there was no issues.”
The 2 Johnnies said the price for the podcast would be €20,000, before Vat, and it would reach an enormous audience.
The 2 Johnnies Podcast has grown to become an accomplished podcast machine signing up new subscribers and listeners every week with 700,000 weekly listeners
A visibility package said: “Uniquely straddling the worlds of parish feuds, geopolitical dynamics and riding, The 2 Johnnies Podcast has grown to become an accomplished podcast machine signing up new subscribers and listeners every week with 700,000 weekly listeners.”
They also put forward some of their own suggested questions for what might work with their audience.
The 2 Johnnies also suggested their own questions that would be interesting to their audience
These included: “What happens when things get tense in the prison – how do you keep control or regain it?”
Another said: “What kind of relationship do you have with the inmates? Do you have to keep your distance, or do you get to know them? Would you know what each person is inside for?”
Asked about the podcast deal, an IPS spokesman said: “The Irish Prison Service aims to recruit 300 new recruit prison officers in 2025 and received 1,500 applications as part of this year’s campaign.
Since 2021, the Irish Prison Service has recruited over 805 recruit prison officers
“Since 2021, the Irish Prison Service has recruited over 805 recruit prison officers.
“Participation in The 2 Johnnies podcast allowed the Irish Prison Service to reach a broad national and international audience, highlighting the career opportunities available and the diverse roles the service can offer potential applicants.”
The spokesman said that as was standard with all IPS media engagements, editorial adjustments were made post recording.
He said: “[This was] to ensure that no content was released which could prejudice or impair the security of any prison, its staff, or prisoners, while also maintaining alignment with our communications protocols and participant consent.”