PSNI arrest man in McCartney murder investigation

Police probing the murder of Robert McCartney in the North have arrested a man.

Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed to death outside a Belfast bar in 2005. His family blamed members of the IRA for the killing but nobody has been convicted.

The suspect, 51, was detained in Jonesborough in South Armagh today and a property in the village was searched.

A police spokesman said: “Detectives from PSNI Serious Crime Branch have arrested a 51-year-old man in Jonesborough this morning in connection to inquiries linked to the murder of Robert McCartney in Belfast in January 2005.

“He has been taken to Antrim Serious Crime Suite for questioning.”

Mr McCartney was stabbed outside Magennis’ bar.

His murder had major repercussions for Sinn Féin, which at the time was involved in delicate political negotiations aimed at securing its support for the police.