The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions condemns the murder of Prison Officer David Black, who was on his way to work when he was brutally attacked this morning.
Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the ICTU, said: 'the Northern Ireland Committee of Congress sends its sincere condolences to the Black family and our colleagues in the Prison Officers Association.
'those who carried out this heinous attack may attempt to 'justify' this savagery as being in the cause of seeking a resolution of issues at Maghaberry Prison. Congress and Creggan Enterprises, in the pursuance of conflict resolution, have been involved in facilitating a resolution of those issues between Republican Prisoners and the Prison Establishment for over two years now. This murder will not in any way assist in resolving these issues, but could rather exacerbate an already difficult situation.
"Congress reiterates its call to halt forever the killing of any citizen going about their lawful duty and appeals to those who may contemplate retaliation to desist, otherwise the spiral of violence and grief will only deepen."
