merrion street

Speaking from Berlin today the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

The brutal murder of Mr David Black, Prison Officer in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, on his way to work early this morning is deeply disturbing. I utterly condemn the actions of those who carried it out and their scant regard for human life.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy and those of the Irish people to the family of the victim and to his colleagues. The Tánaiste is in contact with the First and Deputy First Minister and has conveyed deepest sympathies on behalf of the Government.

Those who committed this brutal act will rightly be condemned by all civilised and right-thinking people on this island who utterly reject such hideous and mindless violence. Northern Minister for Justice David Ford has made clear his determination to bring those responsible to justice.

I also want to underline the excellent security co-operation that exists between the Garda and PSNI.

The Taoiseach added that he will be meeting the First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the North South Ministerial Council tomorrow.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said:

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of a prison officer in his car in Northern Ireland this morning.

I convey my sympathies and that of the Irish Government to his grieving family.

I have spoken to First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to convey sympathies on behalf of the Government to our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive. I have also spoken with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers.

I know that I speak for every decent man, woman and child on this island, North and South, in expressing revulsion at this act.

Minister Ford has made clear his determination to bring those responsible to justice. I want to underline our determination to work closely and determinedly with the PSNI to make sure this happens.

There will be no return to the dark and violent days of the past. The tragic loss of life that we have seen this morning serves only to bring us together in a shared grief and a shared determination to work together in building a better future for all.

Minister Alan Shatter said:

I condemn utterly the brutal and barbaric murder of a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service this morning.

I have spoken this morning to the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, David Ford and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government I expressed our deep sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the murdered prison officer.

We acknowledged the very close cooperation which exists between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and will fully support their efforts in bringing the perpetrators of this dreadful crime to justice and dealing with the threat posed by anyone behaving in this barbaric fashion.