David Black: Funeral For NI Prison Officer

The son of murdered prison officer David Black has described him as "a perfect father".

Kyle Black was addressing mourners at his father's funeral in Cookstown, County Tyrone.

The 52-year-old veteran prison guard had planned to retire early to spend more time with wife Yvonne, son Kyle and daughter Kyra, who read a poem in tribute.

Kyle said: "I could not have asked for more of a father. He had all the characteristics of a perfect father. They can take Daddy away, rob Mummy of her husband and us of our father, but they can never take away the love we have in our hearts or our memories."

Mr Black was based at the high security Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, County Antrim. In recent months, the jail has been the focus of protest over strip searching and conditions.

He was driving to work last Thursday morning when gunmen pulled alongside him in another car and opened fire. He crashed off the motorway near Lurgan and died shortly afterwards.

Reverend Tom Greer, minister of Molesworth Street Presbyterian Church, said: "David Black was a man of honour and principle, a man of kindness and generosity, a man committed to peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland - all those things completely the opposite of the murderous thugs and bloodthirsty criminals who took David's life."

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, came to pay his respects.

The family had asked Sinn Fein politicians not to attend and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, respected their wishes.

While the funeral was taking place in Cookstown, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions held a silent vigil 50 miles away in Belfast, in memory of the murdered prison officer.

Peter Bunting, assistant general secretary, said: "It's an opportunity for all working people and their families to express their sorrow and disgust at this heinous attack on a public servant."

The murder bore all the hallmarks of an attack by dissident republican terrorists who oppose the peace settlement in Northern Ireland. Three men have been questioned, two released without charge.

David Cameron said the killers would not deny the people of Northern Ireland their peaceful future.

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, described the murder as "a senseless, cowardly act".