Updated 12.05

Police in Northern Ireland have charged a man with murder, after prison officer Adrian Ismay died after his van was bombed in Belfast, Co Antrim.

The PSNI says the 45-year-old suspect was previously charged with attempted murder, in connection with the attack a fortnight ago.

The defendant will now be brought before Belfast Magistrates Court.

A murder investigation was launched after a post mortem was carried out on Mr Ismay's body.

It showed the father of three Adrian Ismay (52) died as a direct result of the blast, in which he suffered leg wounds.

The device detonated under his prison van as he set off for work on 4 March.

He was released from hospital after treatment, but suffered a fatal heart attack on Tuesday.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell said today: "Following liaison with the Public Prosecution Service the 45-year-old male previously charged with attempted murder, in relation to the death of Prison Officer Adrian Ismay has now been charged with murder and will appear before Belfast Magistrates Court later this morning."

A dissident republican group, widely referred to as the new IRA, said it carried out the attack.

The explosion happened in the Hillsborough Drive area of Belfast and also forced the evacuation of houses and a massive police search.

Mr Ismay was a long-serving officer based at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre in south Belfast, where he worked as a trainer for new recruits to the Northern Ireland Prison Service.