1.3.05

BBC

Man held over McCartney killing

A 29-year-old man has been arrested over the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.

Mr McCartney, a 33-year-old father-of-two, died after being stabbed near Belfast city centre on 30 January.

Another man questioned about the murder was released without charge at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the police have said they are no longer looking for people outside Northern Ireland in connection with the killing.

Earlier, Chief Constable Hugh Orde said a number of people wanted for questioning had left the jurisdiction.

Mr Orde said he is "not impressed" by the IRA's decision to expel three members suspected of involvement in the murder.

"I'm not that impressed by illegal organisations ejecting people who have committed illegal acts.

Evidence

"This was not committed just by three people. We are looking to gather evidence against anyone that was involved in the actual offence, or in a conspiracy to commit the offence or in the affray around the offence," he added.

Mr Orde was speaking at a news conference a short time after Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy also said the expulsions did not go far enough.

Mr Murphy said Sinn Fein should follow Mr McCartney's family's example and ask witnesses to go to the police.

He also paid tribute to the family and said he was impressed by the number of people who had shown support for them.

"It (the IRA) doesn't go far enough," he said.

"I hope they follow the lead of the McCartney family by telling people, if they know anything about this crime, they should go to the police.

"That should be the plea of every political party here in Northern Ireland, including Sinn Fein."

Mr McCartney's family has said expulsion of IRA members did not go far enough.

Motion

Meanwhile, a motion demanding justice for the McCartney family is to be debated at Belfast City Council.

SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy said the motion condemned the killing and commended the family's courage.

Mr McCartney's family has said those responsible must be forced to admit their role in the murder.

The motion, due to be debated on Tuesday night, calls upon the entire community to show "the same courage and dignity displayed by Mr McCartney's family".

Mr McCarthy represents the Markets area where the murder took place.

His motion also demands "an end to the intimidation of witnesses and calls upon the community to co-operate with the due process of the law to apprehend the organisers and perpetrators of this crime".

Mr McCarthy said he hoped the Sinn Fein members on Belfast City Council would support the motion.

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