Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has expressed her regret and sympathy following the death on Tuesday of Northern Ireland Prison Officer Adrian Ismay.

The prison officer sustained serious injuries in a Belfast bomb attack earlier this month.

The Minister was speaking at an annual St Patrick’s Day gathering hosted in the House of Lords at lunchtime on Tuesday.

“I am very sorry to hear of the passing of the prison officer in Belfast this morning; it was a cowardly and atrocious attack . . . I would like to convey my condolences to the prison service of Northern Ireland and my sympathies to his family,” she said.

The Taoiseach has also extended his deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Adrian Ismay.

Speaking from Washington, the Taoiseach said: “My thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with Adrian Ismay’s family for their loss and for their trauma in the wake of the bomb attack which caused Adrian such terrible injury. I have said repeatedly that such attacks can have no place in a civilised, inclusive society and we must continue to work at all levels to copperfasten a future for Northern Ireland that is committed to the democratic process and the rule of law and is free from violence and intimidation.”

Full-time trainer

Mr Ismay (52) required surgery after sustaining injuries when a bomb partially detonated under the van he was driving in Hillsborough Drive in east Belfast on March 4th.

He had been on his way to work at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre, where he is a full-time trainer, at the time of the attack.

The married father-of-three had 28 years service.

In a joint statement on Tuesday NI Minister for Justice David Ford MLA and Northern Ireland Prison Service director general Sue McAllister said: “Adrian Ismay gave over 28 years of service to prisons in Northern Ireland and he was greatly respected by all those who knew him.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”

Last week a 45-year-old man appeared at court in Belfast charged with his attempted murder.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood also expressed his sincere sympathy. He added that the increase in dissident republican attacks must be matched by an escalation in the response of all those who oppose violence and those who seek to murder or maim their way to constitutional change.

“News of the death of Adrian Ismay, a prison officer who was targeted in a bomb attack in east Belfast last week, is a huge blow to all of us who have stood against those with such murderous intent. My thoughts and the thoughts of the SDLP are with Adrian’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

“Violent dissident republicanism has declared its intent to escalate a campaign of murder and mayhem . . . On the 100th anniversary of the 1916 rising, we must all commit to the values and principles of a modern Ireland.”

Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney also expressed sympathy for Mr Ismay’s family and said those behind his death will not advance any political aim.

“Those responsible for this attack, regardless of what they choose to call themselves, do not speak for or act in the name of the Irish people,” said Mr McCartney said.

“Their actions serve no purpose whatsoever and will not advance any political aim.”