Prison officer wounded in attack dies in hospital

Tributes were pouring in following the death of 52-year-old Adrian Ismay, a father-of-three, injured when a device exploded under the van he was driving on March 4.

Dissident republican group the New IRA, which opposes the peace process, claimed responsibility.

Detectives said they had prevented a number of murder bids since the attack. And they have warned more could follow ahead of this month’s centenary of the Easter Rising, which marked Irish rebellion against Britain.

Mr Ismay was said to have been recovering well in from surgery for leg injuries but was taken back into hospital on Tuesday morning where he died. He may have suffered a heart attack.

Police are awaiting medical evidence before confirming whether his death will be treated as murder. One man has already been charged with attempted murder.

Police Service of Northern Ireland detective chief inspector Richard Campbell said: “Adrian’s profession was simply to keep people safe and we will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.”

The New IRA claimed to have used the plastic explosive Semtex and a commercial detonator in the attack in the Hillsborough Drive area, off Woodstock Road, a predominantly loyalist area in the east of the city, but police have released no details.

It is the latest in the series of attacks which saw bombs discovered under a police officer’s car in Eglinton, Co Londonderry last June and another found in the grounds of a venue in Londonderry in October where a police recruitment event was due to take place.

Last November eight high velocity shots were fired at a patrol car in west Belfast but no one was injured.

Mr Campbell added: “This was a completely senseless attack which only serves to demonstrate the ruthlessness and recklessness of those opposed to peace and who live for violence.”

Prison Officers Association (POA) Northern Ireland chairman Finlay Spratt said morale was low.

The threat to members of the security forces in Northern Ireland is severe from gunmen opposed to the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement which largely ended decades of the Troubles.

Warder David Black, 52, was gunned down on the M1 motorway as he drove to work at Maghaberry high security jail in Co Antrim in November 2012.

First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the latest victim was targeted by those who used the cover of darkness to try and create fear.

“We cannot and will not allow people who are wedded to the past to set the tone and direction of our shared future.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was deeply saddened.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said it was a callous and cowardly attack on the entire community.

“We must work together to reject those who would wish to return Northern Ireland to the days when these heinous attacks were commonplace. Their futile agenda will not succeed.”