The Garda Commissioner says “failings and shortcomings” had a detrimental impact on the force’s investigation into Brian Stack‘s killing.
Drew Harris apologised to the family of the murdered Portlaoise prison officer during a 90-minute meeting earlier.
They want an independent expert to examine Garda failures in the investigation into his murder by the IRA in 1983.
Gardaí have told them a file is being sent to the DPP, but they don’t believe there’s enough evidence to bring a prosecution.
Mr Stack – who worked at Portlaoise Prison – was shot in the neck by the IRA in Dublin in 1983 and died 18 months later.
His son, Austin, has previously accused the Gardaí of frustrating the inquiry into his murder.
He claims a past report by the Serious Crime Review Team found 194 errors in the original investigation, and that a final report is now before the commissioner.
Last year, the family claimed “significant information” had not been passed to the Garda team investigating the killing.
Commissioner Harris says:
“Along with senior detectives, I met with the Stack family this morning to provide them with a briefing on the ongoing investigation into the murder of Mr Brian Stack.
“I offered the Stack family an apology for the failings and shortcomings in the investigation.
“I fully acknowledge that these matters are serious and had a detrimental impact on the investigation.
“This investigation remains open and An Garda Síochána would appeal for anyone with information in relation to the murder of Mr Brian Stack to come forward.”
