IRA Admits Brian Stack Murder

The IRA has admitted to being responsible for the murder of a prison officer from the Republic of Ireland, over thirty years after the event.

Portlaoise Prison Officer Brian Stack was shot in March 1983 and suffered paralysis and brain damage before dying the following year. He was the only prison officer from the Republic of Ireland to be killed during the Troubles.

The IRA has now admitted one of its volunteers was responsible for the attack, but said it had been carried out without the approval of its leadership.

The news came as Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams issued a statement following a meeting with Mr Stack's sons, Austin and Oliver, and a former IRA leader.

"At the beginning of May I met Austin and Oliver Stack whose father, Prison Officer Brian Stack, was shot in March 1983 and died the following year," he said.

"They asked for my assistance in seeking answers and closure to questions they have surrounding the killing of their father. I told them I would try to help. Since then I have been working with Austin and Oliver to establish whether the IRA was involved in their father’s death."

Mr Adams said: "On behalf of Sinn Féin, I extend my regret at the killing of Brian. I hope that these recent developments will help them achieve the closure they have sought for 30 years."

The Louth TD continued: "Addressing complex and painful legacy issues is an enormous challenge.

"Dealing with the human consequences of conflict in terms acceptable to victims and their families is very difficult, especially in the absence of a process which provides for the voluntary participation of witnesses.

"Nonetheless, it is a challenge which republicans will not shy away from."

(IT/CD)