Pressure on SF over ‘horrific’pub killing

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday said he regards alleged IRA involvement in a Belfast murder as a “sinister development”.

Up to six IRA men, including the former head of the Belfast brigade of the IRA, are believed to have been involved in the killing of Robert McCartney, a 33-year-old father of two.

He was beaten with sewer rods outside a pub, had his throat slashed and was repeatedly kicked in the head. He then received a fatal stab wound to his stomach.