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Austin Stack, son of Brian Stack, expressed the deep significance of a recent official apology during an interview on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme. He highlighted how the apology provides great comfort, especially to his mother, himself, and his two brothers, as it represents the state formally acknowledging the mistakes and failures related to his father’s case. Austin emphasized the impact this recognition has had on the family.
He further revealed that a serious crime review team had examined the initial investigation into Brian Stack’s death and identified 194 errors and omissions. Despite multiple requests over the years to view the full report, Austin explained that the family has consistently been denied access, with authorities maintaining that the document is only valid for internal use. This has been a persistent frustration throughout their efforts to seek justice.
Austin noted that the upcoming Wednesday would hold exceptional emotional weight for the family. He described his father’s role during a challenging period in history, saying, “My dad was doing a very difficult job at a very difficult time in our history.” Brian Stack had been recognized with the highest bravery award by the Irish Prison Service for his dedication, and Austin considers the apology a further vindication of his father’s reputation and character.
Ahead of proceedings in the Dáil, the Stack family is scheduled for a private meeting with the taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, at government buildings. The IRA admitted responsibility for Brian Stack’s killing in 2013 following a prolonged campaign by his family that included meetings with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and a former IRA commander. Adams had expressed his regret over the incident to the family at the time. In 2019, Drew Harris, then commissioner of the Garda Síochána, issued an apology concerning the investigative failings. More recently, in 2023, the family was informed that the investigation file, previously with the Director of Public Prosecutions, was being returned to police for further examination. Brian Stack remains the sole prisoner officer in Ireland to have lost his life due to Troubles-related violence
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