Lisburn Councillors pay silent tribute

Lisburn Councillor Alderman Paul Givan, who is also the Chairman of the Assembly Justice Committee, spoke about the devastation caused by Mr Black’s murder, which has been blamed on dissident Republicans.

“When I got the news on Thursday that David Black had been brutally murdered it shocked me,” said Mr Givan.

“When I visited Maghaberry Prison I spoke to men and women who were emotionally shaken by all of this.”

Mr Givan continued: “I met with David’s widow and she described it as a futile murder and the devastation was palpable.

“A wife has been deprived of a husband and two children have been deprived of a father.

“We as a community can ensure we move forward and not go back but that family will always be devastated.

“This is a tragedy that many people felt was long behind us; it has been almost twenty years since the last prison officer was murdered.”

Mr Givan told the council that Mr Black had been due to take part in a Remembrance service to honour those prison officers who had been killed in Northern Ireland.

“He was due to honour those who had fallen wearing the same uniform he wore,” continued Mr Givan.

“He always wanted to remember colleagues who had lost their lives and now we must remember him.

“David paid the ultimate sacrifice and we should never forget the sacrifice made by those who went before him,” he added.

The Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman William Leathem extended his sympathies to the Black family. “I particularly wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the Black family from Cookstown,” he said.

“Mr Black was killed in despicable circumstances and I am sure I speak for so many people who have been shocked and saddened at Mr Black’s killing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and wider family circle,” added Mr Leathem.

Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig described the murder as both ‘shocking’ and ‘alarming.’

“This was just an ordinary civil servant carrying out his own work,” he said. “This is a clear sign that murder is coming back to Northern Ireland. Prison officers are just ordinary civil servants working and carrying out their duties to help maintain peace in Northern Ireland. No-one has the right to take the life of anyone else.

“This is yet another shocking development within the province and it is alarming too for the many people of Lisburn, a murder carried out as he travelled to work at one of the largest prisons in Northern Ireland.

“I am satisfied from speaking to the police about this murder that no stone will be left unturned into the investigation in finding these evil doers and they are hopeful they will bring someone to justice over this.”

Mr Craig continued: “My sympathy, on behalf of the people of Lisburn and Lagan Valley goes out to the wife and children and other family members of Mr Black.”

Mr Black’s funeral was held at Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown on Tuesday (November 6).

The interment, which was private, took place at Kildress Parish Church. At the same time as the funeral, a vigil was held in Belfast in memory of Mr Black.

Visits to Maghaberry prison were also cancelled on Tuesday.