IRA admits prison officer killing

The IRA has admitted killing the only prison officer murdered in the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles.

Thirty years on from the attack on Brian Stack, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has expressed his “regret” to the Stack family over the killing.

The former Portlaoise chief prison officer’s children, Austin and Oliver, held talks with Mr Adams and a former IRA commander in recent weeks as part of a long campaign to secure a confession.

Mr Adams said he accompanied the two brothers to a meeting with an ex-Provo boss, who admitted the IRA shot their father in the back of the neck on March 25, 1983.

Mr Stack had been crossing a busy Dublin street after leaving a boxing contest at the National Stadium when he was gunned down.

“I want to pay tribute to the Stack family – to Sheila Stack and her sons, Austin, Kieran and Oliver,” said Mr Adams.

“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.”

"This generation of republican activists who lived through and survived the war have a duty and a responsibility to do our best to help victims and families."

Brian Stack was left paralysed and brain-damaged from the shooting and suffered for a further 18 months before dying from his injuries at the age of 47.