27.2.05

BBC

Killers urged to 'come forward'


Robert McCartney, 33, was killed near Belfast city centre

The family of Robert McCartney, killed after a Belfast bar row, have urged his murderers to give themselves up.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Short Strand area of east Belfast for a rally in support of the family, who blamed IRA members for the killing.

His sister Paula said they must do "the patriotic thing" and come forward.

"If not they must be pressurised to do so. If these men walk free from this then everyone in Ireland should fear for the consequences," she said.

The 33-year-old father of two died in hospital after being stabbed near the city centre last month.

On Friday the IRA said it had expelled three of its members over suspected involvement in the killing, a move the family welcomed but said did not go far enough.


Mr McCartney's sisters called on all those involved to come forward

On Saturday night a man was released without charge by police investigating Mr McCartney's death after presenting himself to police earlier in the day.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said "any self respecting republican" had a responsibility to come forward if they witnessed the fatal assault.

"Had I found myself in Magennis's Bar and was caught up in these dreadful events, I would now be making myself available to the court as the McCartney family have asked," Mr Adams told the BBC's Today programme on Saturday.

The IRA said one of those expelled made a statement to a solicitor and called on the others to take responsibility.

Two of the men dismissed were described by the IRA as "high ranking volunteers".


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