Justice Minister today attended the Northern
Ireland Prison Service Annual Memorial Service to remember
officers who lost their lives in the course of duty.
During the service at the Memorial Garden at Hydebank Wood,
Minister Long laid the first wreath at the Memorial Stone with
the Director General, Beverley Wall, laying a wreath on behalf of
the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Minister Long said: “This annual memorial service
provides the Prison Service family with the opportunity to come
together to remember those colleagues who paid the ultimate
sacrifice in the service of the people of Northern Ireland. The
passing of years has not dimmed our pride in those brave men and
women.
“It is important that we pause and reflect on their
service and that of the many men and women who have served and
continue to serve with dedication and distinction.
“To the family, friends and former colleagues of those we
gather to remember today, your loved one and the sacrifice they
made will never be forgotten by the Northern Ireland Prison
Service.”
Minister Long added: “I am very grateful to the Central
Benevolent Fund for their role in organising today's service but
also for the invaluable support they provide to the entire Prison
Service family throughout the year.”
During the service, which was conducted by Prison Service
chaplains, a two-minute silence was observed, after which the
names of the 32 Prison Service personnel who lost their lives
were read out by Officer Ivor Dunne.
Wreaths were laid by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Leckey VR, High
Sheriffs of Northern Ireland, Minister Long, as well as
representatives of bereaved widows, Central Benevolent Fund,
Prison Officers' Association, Prison Governors' Association, NI
Public Service Alliance, Prison Service Trust, NIPS Sports
Association, Retired Officers' Fellowship, the local branch of
the Royal British Legion and by the Irish Prison Service.
Notes to editors:
1. The NIPS memorial stone contains the names of the men and
women of the Northern Ireland Prison Service who were murdered by
terrorists. The first, Officer R Walker, died in 1942; the most
recent, Senior Officer Adrian Ismay, was killed in March 2016.
