The family of a prison officer who died after being shot outside the National Stadium in Dublin 30 years ago says the IRA has finally admitted to his murder.

Brian Stack was the chief prison officer at Portlaoise when he was gunned down on March 25th 1983.

He was shot in the back of the neck after leaving a boxing contest at the National Stadium on the South Circular Road in the city.

The father of three was left paralysed and brain-damaged and lost his fight for life 18 months later.

After spending three decades looking for answers, his family has finally been told that the IRA was behind his assassination. The admission came following meetings between Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and a former leader of the IRA.

Adams extends regret over killing

In a statement the former IRA leader said the attack had not been sanctioned by the Army Council and that is why it denied its involvement.

"I want to pay tribute to the Stack family - to Sheila Stack and her sons, Austin, Kieran and Oliver. On behalf of Sinn Féin I extend my regret at the killing of Brian" he said.

"I hope that these recent developments will help them achieve the closure they have sought for 30 years" he added.

As it stands, the case is still under review by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and is being led by a senior member of the force.

His son - Austin Stack - now wants to know who pulled the trigger and why his father's killer has not been brought to justice.