Ireland issues State apology to family of murdered officer Brian Stack

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has delivered a formal State apology in the Dáil to the family of Brian Stack, the former chief prison officer at Portlaoise Prison who was murdered by the Provisional IRA in 1983.

Mr. Stack was shot in the neck outside Dublin’s National Stadium in March 1983, leaving him paralyzed and brain-damaged. He died from his injuries in September 1984. He was the only prison officer murdered in the State during the Troubles.

The Taoiseach acknowledged serious shortcomings in the initial Garda investigation, which failed to bring those responsible to justice. Specific investigative failures included the loss of potentially vital evidence, such as a crime scene map and a motorbike helmet linked to the shooting, as well as deficiencies in recording interviews and gathering intelligence.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan also issued an apology, noting Mr. Stack’s life of public service. The Stack family, including Mr. Stack’s wife Sheila and sons Austin, Kieran, and Oliver, were present for the proceedings.