Family of Chief Prison Officer of Portlaoise Prison, Brian Stack to receive formal State apology

THE family of the late Chief Prison Officer of Portlaoise Prison, Brian Stack who was shot by the IRA 43 years ago and later died in hospital, is to receive a formal State apology in relation to the mishandling of three separate Garda investigations into his murder.

In a statement issued by the family, said: ‘Taoiseach, Micheál Martin will deliver the apology on Wednesday 21 October at 1.30pm in Dáil Éireann. The then Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, issued an apology to the family in July 2019 and since then the family have been pressing for a formal State apology.

‘After the formation of the current Government the family began working closely with The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, in relation to this matter and it received government approval last month. Following this the Taoiseach issued the family with a written apology (see attached) and provided the family with a date for the formal State apology.

The family will have a private meeting with the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration at noon in Government Buildings prior to the apology. 

The family will arrive at Government Buildings at 11.30am.