Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised to the family of murdered prison officer Brian Stack for "failings" in the investigation into his death.
Mr Stack, a chief prison officer in Portlaoise, was shot in the neck by the IRA in March 1983 and died 18 months later.
His son Austin spoke with Mr Harris for over an hour today along with his his mother Sheila and brothers, Ciaran and Oliver, after the commissioner received a report on the most recent investigation into the murder.
The family were told that a file is being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but gardai are not recommending any charges be brought.
Commissioner Harris said: "Along with senior detectives, I met with the Stack family this morning to provide them with a briefing on the ongoing investigation into the murder of Mr Brian Stack.
"I offered the Stack family an apology for the failings and shortcomings in the investigation.
"I fully acknowledge that these matters are serious and had a detrimental impact on the investigation.
"This investigation remains open and An Garda Síochána would appeal for anyone with information in relation to the murder of Mr Brian Stack to come forward.”
Austin Stack is now calling for Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to appoint an independent policing expert from outside Ireland to review the case.
Speaking outside garda headquarters in Dublin, Mr Stack said: "We had a full and frank discussion with the commissioner around the errors and the mishandling of the three separate investigations that An Garda Siochana have carried out into the murder.
