Jim O'Callaghan

Mr Stack was the chief prison officer at Portlaoise Prison and was shot in the neck by the IRA in March 1983, he passed away 18 months later. He was the only prison officer murder in the Irish State during the Troubles.

An investigation into the killing in September 1984 found nothing of evidential value. Following a request from the family the Garda Commissioner directed a review the case in 2007. The Garda Serious Crime Review Team made 202 recommendations leading to and independent re-investigation team being appointed in 2008. This led to the identification of a number of serious failings and shortcomings in the management of the original Garda investigation.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the Stack family had been “badly failed” by the investigation.

Mr O’Callaghan added: “Although the Garda Authorities have assured me that their investigation remains open and that they continue to actively pursue live lines of enquiry in this regard, the failure to document potentially critical decisions during the original investigation in 1983 and 1984 and the loss of crucial evidence since then have undoubtedly hampered An Garda Síochána’s efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

“As time has passed since the Good Friday Agreement, these failings have made it impossible for the Stack family to move on, as they have explained to many of us here.”

Mr O’Callaghan continued that the fact that killers of Mr Strack remained at large was a matter of “deep regret” to him further adding: “This House will already be aware of this Government’s commitment to addressing the legacy of the Troubles and the implementation of the Joint Framework on Legacy agreed with the British Government.

“Fundamentally, this is about delivering truth, accountability and, where possible, justice to families like the Stack family. This House will have the opportunity to debate the legislative measures we are proposing to deliver in the coming months through the Legacy of the Troubles Bill.”