Renewed Appeal In Prison Officer Murder

Police have made a fresh appeal for information in relation to the murder of prison officer David Black.

Mr Black, 52, was shot dead on the M1 in Co Armagh on 1 November 2012 as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison. He was attacked between Portadown and Lurgan on the M1, around a mile from the Lurgan exit.

The father-of-two was the first prison officer to be murdered in the region in almost 20 years.

A year after his death, detectives from the Serious Crime Branch have made a new appeal to people in Cookstown and Lurgan.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness said: "Although it is one year since David's murder, we are still appealing for people to come forward with information.

"I am making a particular appeal to people in Lurgan to think about what they know and what they saw last year.

"The dark blue Toyota Camry was in Lurgan prior to the shooting on the evening of 31 October and was set on fire about 20 minutes after David's murder a few miles from the M1 at Inglewood on the morning of 1 November.

"A number of men were seen running away from the car.

"I would appeal to anyone who can help us with this specific inquiry, or who knows anything about David's murder, to come forward."

He continued: "I would also appeal to people in Cookstown to think about what they saw in the days and weeks before David's murder.

"Did you see any unusual activity around David's home or the places he frequented? If you have any information, please contact us."

Mr Black lived in Cookstown, while the car used in his killing was later found burnt out in Lurgan. The car used in the killing had a Republic of Ireland registration - 94 D 50997 - pulled alongside Mr Black's car and a number of shots were fired, killing the prison officer. The vehicle was discovered burnt out in the Inglewood district of Lurgan a short time later at 7.50am.

Two men, one in Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland, face charges linked to the purchase and movement of the Toyota Camry.

Police have said there is a reward of up to £10,000 available from Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder.

Information can be provided by phoning the Special Incident Room on 028 3831 5291 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(JP/CD)