The broad outline of the story of Brian Stack is widely known.
A Chief Prison Officer in Portlaoise Prison, he was shot by the IRA outside the National Boxing Stadium in March 1983 and died 18 months later, leaving behind his wife and three sons.
For many years now his family have sought information, and justice, for their late dad.
In a recently-released book, Brian’s son Austin details a lot more context, detail and, indeed, feeling than has been the case in the straight news reporting up to now.
He tells what the journey has been like for the past 40+ years.
He describes his memories of the time of the shooting, his father’s death and state funeral, his own decision to go into the Prison Service.
But he also describes his frustration in dealing with the state, how the Garda investigation was never really an investigation at all and coming face to face with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and a meeting – following a journey in a blacked-out van – with the IRA.
In this latest LaoisToday podcast, Austin sits down with us to chat about his decision to write this book, what that process was like, his frustration over the years and why the victims of the Troubles are people like his mother who was widowed at the age of 39.
You can listen to the episode in full here.
SEE ALSO – Check out more LaoisToday Podcasts here
