Gerry Adams under fire as IRA victim’s son denies revealing names of suspects

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has become embroiled in a damaging row with the son of provisional IRA victim Brian Stack after insisting he received the names of four people involved in his murder from the grieving family.

Mr Adams made the claim despite Mr Stack’s son Austin stating he and his family never gave any names to him and demanded answers on where the information emerged. Reports yesterday said that in a recent email to Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan, Mr Adams provided the names of four senior IRA members who may have information about the 1983 murder of Mr Stack.

Mr Stack — the only prison officer to have been murdered in the Republic during the Troubles — was shot in 1983 while working at Portlaoise prison, before dying from his injuries the following year. While the IRA denied its involvement for 30 years, senior members admitted responsibility during a meeting with Austin Stack in 2003 which was organised by Mr Adams.