Opinion

Lengthy sentence intended to act as a deterrent

DS Richard Campbell talks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast Picture by Hugh Russell.
DS Richard Campbell talks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast Picture by Hugh Russell. DS Richard Campbell talks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast Picture by Hugh Russell.

The 22 year minimum sentence imposed on Christopher Robinson for the murder of prison officer Adrian Ismay was clearly intended to act as a deterrent for anyone plotting to attack prison or PSNI staff in the future.

In sentencing Robinson for the 2016 attack on the father of three, Mr Justice McAllinden referred to previous cases where it was made clear “public servants should be protected by way of deterrence having regard to the obligations and risks which they take on for the benefit of the community”.

Robinson has never admitted his role in the the killing but it was his connection with St John's Ambulance, where both men volunteered, that made him a suspect within days of the under car explosion.

Detectives believe he drove a car used on the night of the attack to transport another person involved to plant the bomb. That person has never been convicted.

The New IRA claimed to have carried out the attack on the long-serving officer who worked in the prison service training college.

Mr Ismay was released from hospital after the blast and appeared to be making good progress, but he died unexpectedly 11 days later later when a blood clot linked to the attack triggered a heart attack.

He had worked at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre in south Belfast, where he trained new recruits to the Prison Service.

It has taken almost four years for the case to be concluded, the slow pace of justice a regular feature of Diplock, non jury trials in Northern Ireland.

But the result is considered a significant success for the PSNI, who have struggled in the past to get convictions in terrorist related attacks.

Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell said afterward, the 22 year minimum tariff should "act as a deterrent" to anyone involved in attacking members of the prison service.