Killing of David Black

Killing of David Black
Part of Dissident Irish Republican campaign
Location	M1 motorway, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Date	1 November 2012 7:30 am
Target	David Black
Attack type	Shooting
Deaths	1
Perpetrators	New IRA

On 1 November 2012, David Black, a 52‑year‑old prison officer from Cookstown, County Tyrone, was shot dead while driving to Maghaberry Prison along the M1 motorway between Portadown and Lurgan. Gunmen in a Toyota Camry opened fire on his car, causing it to leave the road and come to rest in a ditch. Black was the 30th member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to be killed since 1974, and the first since the murder of Jim Peacock in 1993. His funeral in Cookstown was attended by political and civic representatives, while a separate public event was held in Belfast. The killing prompted widespread political condemnation. In the years that followed, a prosecution related to the attack collapsed, and on the 10th anniversary of his death his widow issued a renewed appeal for information.

Background

David Black, born in August 1960, lived in Cookstown, County Tyrone. He spent more than 30 years in the Northern Ireland Prison Service and was serving at Maghaberry Prison when he was killed. He left school at 16 and was employed in a local bacon‑processing plant before joining the Prison Service. Alongside his work, he also ran the family farm and managed rental properties. He was married, had two children, and was a member of the Orange Order.

Attack

On 1 November 2012, Black was shot while driving from his home in Cookstown to Maghaberry Prison. At about 7:30 am, as he drove along the M1 motorway between Portadown (Junction 11) and Lurgan (Junction 10), a dark blue Toyota Camry with Dublin registration plates drew alongside his black Audi A4 and shots were fired at him. His car left the motorway and came to rest in a ditch. The Camry, which had been observed in the Lurgan area the previous evening, was discovered burnt out in the Inglewood area of the town roughly 10 minutes after the shooting. Black was the 30th member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to be killed since 1974. The previous prison officer to die in such circumstances was Jim Peacock, who was murdered on 1 September 1993.

Funeral

Black's funeral took place at Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown, County Tyrone. A private service was held at the family home beforehand, followed by a private burial at Kildress Parish Church. Prison Service staff formed an honour guard for the cortege, and representatives from political and civic bodies in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland attended the church service. Police conducted security checks in the area in advance. A Sinn Féin source stated that the deputy first minister had been prepared to attend, but the family asked that no Sinn Féin representatives be present.

At the same time, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions held a separate event at Belfast City Hall, which was attended by several hundred people.

Reactions

• Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron: "First and foremost this is a dreadful tragedy for the family and friends of David Black who has been so brutally murdered as he went about his work keeping the people of Northern Ireland safe. My heart goes out to them."
• PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott: "It is a completely senseless attack which demonstrates the ruthlessness and recklessness of those opposed to peace and who live for violence."
• Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore: "I know that I speak for every decent man, woman and child on this island, north and south, in expressing revulsion at this act. There will be no return to the dark and violent days of the past. The tragic loss of life that we have seen this morning serves only to bring us together in a shared grief and a shared determination to work together in building a better future for all."

Aftermath

In 2018, the trial of a man accused of aiding and abetting Black's murder collapsed.

In November 2022, marking the 10th anniversary of the killing, Black's widow issued a renewed appeal for information about those responsible.