RTÉ News has learned that a special Garda unit investigating the unsolved murder of a Chief Prison Officer from Portlaoise Prison 25 years ago is to make over 150 recomendations to Garda authorities relating to the case.
It is believed the Garda Cold Case Unit has identified a number of new lines of enquiry in relation to the gun attack on father-of-three Brian Stack, which occurred 25 years ago tomorrow.
On 25 March 1983 the 47-year-old was shot in the back of the neck on a Dublin street by a masked gunman, who fled the scene with an accomplice on a motorcycle.
Mr Stack was left paralysed and brain damaged as a result of the shooting, and died 18 months later as a result of his injuries.
It has long been believed that the murder was the work of one of the paramilitary or criminal groups, whose members were among the prisoners in Portlaoise Prison.
At the time of the attack, Brian Stack was the most senior uniformed prison officer at Portlaoise. The prison housed prisoners from the IRA, INLA, and other high security prisoners.
While the gunman and his getaway driver have never been brought to justice, Mr Stack's family and gardaí believe a number of people who are still alive have direct and indirect knowledge of who organised the gun attack 25 years ago.
The murder of Mr Stack is one of the first cases investigated by the Garda Cold Case Unit, which was established late last year.
It is understood that a significant number of people have come forward with information in recent months, following public appeals by Mr Stack's widow Sheila, and his three sons, Austin, Kieran and Oliver.
The Cold Case Unit has identified over 150 areas relating to the case that should be investigated further. Some of these involve revisiting people who have previously provided information or witness statements.
However, other recomendations concern new lines of enquiry relating to the possible identity of Mr Stack's attackers, and those who organised the fatal shooting.
The report will be submitted to Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy for consideration. He will then decide how the full murder investigation should best proceed.
Brian Stack's family are to meet with the Cold Case Unit in early April for a progress report on the case.
'We are very happy with the recent work of gardaí and will be keenly watching to ensure all recommendations from the Cold Case Unit are followed up,', Brian's son Austin told RTÉ News.
The Stack family also wish to meet again with the Minister for Justice to discuss all aspects relating to the unsolved murder.
The family held an initial meeting with Brian Lenihan shortly before Christmas.
Meanwhile, detectives have again urged people on the periphery of the fatal gun attack to contact them.
'It's quite possible that some people involved in providing information on Brian's movements or who provided the getaway motorbike or a safe house did not know Brian was going to be murdered,' a detective said.
'They may have thought he was to be assaulted, but didn't agree with what actually happened. They can ease their consciences and assist the Stack family by coming clean
Gardaí investigating the murder of Brian Stack can be contacted at Kevin Street Garda st ation on 01 6669400.
