NI Prison Service member shot dead

guttenberg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20164370

Prison worker dies after M1 shots

A car was later found burnt out in Lurgan, County Armagh
A prison officer has died after shots were fired at his car, which then crashed on the M1 in Northern Ireland.

The shooting happened on a section of the motorway between the M12 Portadown exit and the Lurgan interchange, heading towards Belfast.

It happened at about 07:30 GMT on Thursday.

Police are investigating a link between a burnt out car found in Lurgan, County Armagh, and the incident on the M1.

The DUP's Justice spokesperson Paul Givan said it was his understanding that the man who died was a member of the prison service.

"I want to express my shock and horror and support for the services as they carry out their investigation," he said.

Northern Ireland Education Minister John O'Dowd described the man's death as a "human tragedy".

"There is no justification for continued conflict in this society," he said.

Labour's Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Vernon Croaker said the attack was "sickening and despicable".

"Prison officers do a remarkable job in very difficult circumstances. An attack on any one them is an attack on the criminal justice system, the law and the community," he said.

SDLP assembly member for Upper Bann, Dolores Kelly, said the incident was "sickening and disturbing".

East Belfast MP Naomi Long also expressed sadness following the shooting.

"It has particular ramifications for people," she said. "It is very distressing but also very upsetting in a political way. What the people in Northern Ireland want is for this to be over."

Twenty-nine prison office staff were murdered during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The last prison officer killed was Jim Peacock who died on 1 September 1993.

Loyalist paramilitary gunmen from the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) sledgehammered their way into the Peacock family's Joanmount Park home in north Belfast and shot him dead.

The motorway has been closed in both directions

RIP. Horrible news to hear. Stay safe folks!

msg11

RIP , shocking to say the leased. A hard working man going about his day shot dead by what looks like something to do with his occupation. Disgraceful.

da_hambo

Horrible news to hear today.

Glad to see all sides in Northern Ireland wholeheartedly condemning this ambush on a man heading to work.

Lets pray justice is swift, and the perpetrators are brought to answer asap.

RIP.

Goonerdee

Saddened by this news.