Crime & Law

Widow of murdered NI prison officer appeals for information 10 years on

David Black (52), was shot dead by the New IRA on his way to Maghaberry

David Black, who worked at the high-security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim, was shot dead as he drove to work on a motorway near Lurgan in Co Armagh on November 1st, 2012.

Rebecca Black, PA
Tue Nov 1 2022 - 00:00

The widow of murdered prison officer David Black has issued a plea for information to help catch his killers 10 years on and bring her family “some level of peace”.

An increased reward of £20,000 has been offered for information leading to the prosecution of those responsible.

David Black (52), a father-of-two from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was killed in a drive-by shooting on November 1st, 2012.

He was targeted as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison at about 7.30am on the M1 motorway between Portadown and Lurgan.

READ MORE

A republican organisation calling itself the New IRA said it carried out the murder.

To date, detectives from the PSNI and An Garda Síochána have made 12 arrests on both sides of the Border, undertaken numerous searches of premises and vehicles and taken more than 1,000 statements.

But no-one has yet been convicted of Mr Black’s murder.

Mr Black’s widow Yvonne has called for the help and support of the broader community to bring those responsible to justice.

“We would issue a plea to those who hold information concerning the events leading up to the murder of David, information concerning what happened that fateful morning and the aftermath,” she said. “Loyalties change and we are appealing for information to be given, however small, which could help build the jigsaw, progressing justice and accountability.

“We continue to try to build our lives as best we can, we have in many ways concealed our own hurt and pain to the outside world but we require the help and support of the broader community in order to give us an opportunity to have some level of peace, currently denied us through the lack of successful convictions against those responsible for David’s murder.”

Mrs Black continued: “Ten years have passed since David was stolen away from us; David was a good man, he was a wonderful husband and father and he worked extremely hard fulfilling a role as provider.

“When he was murdered, our lives were shattered, everything we had come to know had been taken away from us.

“We mourn him every day and there have been very difficult times down the years as we have tried to come to terms with the new life we’ve all been forced to live.

“I have tried to keep going for our children, Kyle and Kyra, who have also helped lift me up at points when life is challenging for me.

“My husband and our children’s father wasn’t a danger or threat to anyone and he most certainly was no-one’s legitimate target; he was highly respected across the community and indeed by his former colleagues and inmates alike. David lived his life by the adage ‘respect breeds respect’ and this is how he conducted his life, personally and professionally within his work as a prison officer.”

Mr Black was the first prison officer to be killed by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland in almost 20 years.

His killing in 2012 prompted united political condemnation from then-DUP leader Peter Robinson, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, the then taoiseach Enda Kenny and members of the US administration.

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly has appealed to the communities of both Cookstown and Lurgan to come forward with information regarding the investigation.

“Our investigation into David’s murder, is very much active,” he said.

“We believe there are members of the communities of Lurgan and Cookstown who have information that will bring those responsible for David’s murder to justice.

“David’s family deserves closure and although it won’t bring him back, it will help bring those responsible before the courts. Time may have passed, but it is not too late to do the right thing for David’s family.”

LATEST STORIES