Prison officer who died in Belfast bomb attack identified

A device exploded under the van he was driving on March 4

Police approach the Van under which a device exploded in east Belfast. (Reuters)

The prison officer who died following a bomb attack in Belfast earlier this month was Adrian Ismay, the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has said.

A device exploded under the van he was driving on March 4. The dissident republican group the New IRA has claimed responsibility.

The 52-year-old married father-of-three with nearly 30 years service needed surgery for severe leg injuries after the explosive device detonated under his vehicle as he set off for work.

Justice Minister David Ford and 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."

The attack happened in the Hillsborough Drive area, off Woodstock Road, a predominantly loyalist area in the east of the city, just after 7am.

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

In a statement to the BBC, the New IRA said the officer was targeted because he was involved in training other guards at HMP Maghaberry, near Lisburn.

A spokesman said Mr Ismay was one of a number of people on a list of potential targets and the attack arose from a dispute over the treatment of dissident republican inmates.

One Stormont Assembly member has claimed they are trying to return Northern Ireland's high-security prison to conditions similar to the old Maze Prison, where republicans won a series of concessions and famously went on hunger strike.

The New IRA claimed to have used the plastic explosive Semtex and a commercial detonator in the attack.

First Minister Arlene Foster tweeted: "I'm devastated. Can't believe the news ... My thoughts are with his family."

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said she was shocked and saddened by the prison officer's death.

She tweeted: "My thoughts & deepest condolences are with his family."

PA