McHugh and Robertson condemn murder of David Black in Northern Ireland

The Co-Chairmen of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, Joe McHugh TD, and Laurence Robertson MP, have expressed their sympathy to the family of prison officer David Black who was shot dead in Northern Ireland this morning.

Deputy McHugh and Mr Robertson said they utterly condemned today’s act and called on anyone with any information about the brutal killing to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland at the earliest opportunity.

The Co-Chairmen of the Assembly added that that those responsible wanted to drag us back to a dark past, and said that this act would only serve to strengthen institutions such as the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly to increase co-operation between Britain and Ireland and to build a better future for people in both countries.

Deputy McHugh commented, “At last week’s plenary of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Glasgow, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, warned that dissident paramilitaries continued to present a real and viable threat to peace and security in Northern Ireland.

“Regrettably, these comments have proved true through today’s awful murder of a prison officer travelling on his way to work. These dissidents have no mandate from the people of Ireland, North or South, and their actions are utterly repugnant to the peace process that the people of Ireland overwhelmingly support.

Laurence Robertson MP added, “Prison officers were targeted by paramilitaries during the troubles, but we all hoped those days were long gone. It was impossible to see what cause was advanced then, and it is even more baffling to understand what has been achieved through today’s despicable act.

“While this reminds us that security issues will remain on the agenda for British-Irish relations, it also demonstrates the need for us all to continue to work together on issues of mutual concern and isolate those who want to live in the past.”
 
ENDS