Prison Officer Brian Stack Shot by IRA in 1983, Died 18 Months Later

Official Apology Issued

The Irish government has formally apologised to the family of Brian Stack, a prison officer who was killed in a 1983 shooting by the Irish Republican Army while crossing a Dublin street. After enduring an assassination attempt that left him mortally wounded, Stack succumbed to his injuries 18 months after the incident, evidencing the severity of the attack.^[1]

The apology, conveyed by senior state officials, acknowledges the pain suffered by Stack’s loved ones and the breach of public safety that occurred in 1983. It recognises that the threat posed by the IRA to public servants had far-reaching consequences, not just at the moment of the attack but for the long term health and safety of those who served.^[1]

Details of the 1983 Shooting

On the day of the assault, Brian Stack was crossing a road in Dublin. He was struck in the back of the neck by a projectile fired from an IRA gunman. The initial injuries did not immediately claim his life, yet the gravitas of the wound led to his eventual death 18 months after the attack.^[1]

Long‑Term Impact

Stack’s prolonged suffering following the shooting highlights the enduring effects that violent acts by paramilitary groups can impose on both victims and their families. The fact that he did not die instantly underscores the hidden damage such incidents inflict beyond the immediate shock.^[1]