MP questions why Adrian Ismay’s killer wasn’t remanded in custody

Gavin Robinson said it was remarkable that Christopher Robinson, 50, was only remanded into custody having breached his bail conditions for the fourth time, while Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said the killer should “reflect on his wasted life”.

Christopher Robinson was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court over his “intimate and inextricable” role in the death of devoted family man Adrian Ismay in 2016.

He drove the vehicle on the night of the attack to transport another person involved across Belfast before and afterward.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said: “Adrian Ismay was someone who served his community as a prison officer and gave selflessly also as a St John’s Ambulance volunteer.

“Nearly five years after his murder it is still shocking that his murderer knew Adrian through that service.

“Questions still remain as to how someone charged with such a serious crime was ever granted bail and that it was only on the fourth occasion that bail conditions were breached that action was taken to remand him in custody.”

Mr Robinson added: “I hope the knowledge that someone has been brought to justice can offer some small comfort to the Ismay family.

“The words too of the judge were particularly appropriate. Northern Ireland needs more people like Adrian Ismay and it is a poorer place without him.”

Ulster Unionist justice spokesperson Mr Beattie said that while many would regard a 22-year sentence as “lenient,” it was an “improvement on some sentences” in previous terrorist cases.

“The 22-year sentence handed down to Christopher Robinson at Belfast Crown Court today will be welcomed by all those who support law and order and believe in the concepts of punishment and deterrence,” he said.

“I fully recognise that there is no sentence that can bring Adrian Ismay back to his family or lessen their grief. All the court can do is hand down a sentence that reflects society’s anger and contempt for the type of person who believes they have the right to use violence and commit murder.

“Robinson chose to involve himself in terrorism and he chose to play a key role in the murder of a prison officer, Adrian Ismay. Twenty-two years will be regarded by many as a lenient punishment, but it is at least an improvement on some sentences that we have seen handed out previously in terrorist cases in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Beattie added: “Those who believe they have the right to use violence for political ends are fascists. Whether they threaten police officers, prison officers, soldiers, politicians, journalists or civilians, they are hewn from the same rock.

“The vast majority of people want to live in communities that are free from violence and the threat of violence. Those like Robinson who are wedded to violence need to learn that they and their activities will not be tolerated; that they will be hunted down and caught, and when they are caught they will be punished.

“Robinson now has 22 years in prison to reflect on his wasted life. I sincerely hope that the PSNI are able to ensure that his co-conspirators join him shortly.”

Following the court hearing on Friday, PSNI Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell said: “This attack on Adrian Ismay was a cowardly attack on someone going about their work.

“This was a dedicated public servant who had dedicated his career to serving the public, both in his job as a prison officer but actually beyond that as a volunteer within the community in a number of areas.

“Our society is a worse place for his loss.

“That puts into stark contact the actions of those who carried out the attack on him, including Christopher Robinson.”

“It was a cowardly and callous attack on him, to target him at his house as he was about to go and do his work within the community.”

The senior detective added: “The sentence given today should serve as a stark warning to anyone involved in this type of terrorist activity that it is not tolerated by society and we as a police service will do everything we can in our power to bring people to justice if they choose to be involved in this type of activity.”