WARDER NICE PAY DAY FOR DUO

2 Johnnies paid €25k for plugging a career as prison officer

- BY KEN FOXE

COMEDY duo the 2 Johnnies were paid nearly €25,000 by the Irish Prison Service to host a show on the attractions of working as a warder.

The sponsored podcast featured staff speaking glowingly of their jobs.

The IPS confirmed a fee of €20,000, plus €4,600 in VAT, was agreed with the Tipperary entertainers.

It 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 were "very interested" in working with the IPS.

A message said: "[The] bespoke commercial package would be a feature interview — ie two officers — one male, one female, one that is newlyrecruited two-three years' service and the other 10-15 years' service being interviewed ... about their roles."