Irish State Apology for Brian Stack Family Over IRA Murder Investigation Failures

The Irish state is set to issue a formal apology to the family of Brian Stack, a prison officer shot dead by the Provisional IRA in Dublin in 1983. Mr. Stack was shot in the back of the neck while crossing a street and subsequently died 18 months later from his injuries. His family has relentlessly campaigned for an official acknowledgement of the state's failings in investigating the murder.

This forthcoming apology marks a significant development in the family's long struggle for justice. The Provisional IRA admitted responsibility for Mr. Stack's murder in 2013, with the organisation stating the shooting was carried out by its 'internal security unit' for alleged intelligence gathering. However, no individuals have ever been charged in connection with the killing.

The protracted legal and political battle has seen the family engage with multiple Irish governments and justice ministers, often highlighting perceived inadequacies in police investigations and the lack of transparency surrounding the case. The apology is expected to address these historical shortcomings and acknowledge the profound impact of the unresolved murder on the Stack family.