Just four McCartney attack witnesses have made statements

JUST four statements from people who were in the pub where IRA murder victim Robert McCartney was attacked have been handed to the Police Ombudsman, it emerged last night.

And the victim’s sisters believe the level of non-cooperation proves republicans never genuinely wanted to aid their quest for justice.

The McCartneys insisted the Belfast bar was packed with drinking IRA men and Sinn Féin members when the violence spilled outside.

After arriving home from White House talks with President George Bush, Catherine McCartney said: “If they had been serious about people coming forward they could have said this is a list of people who were there on the night and they are willing to go forward to the Ombudsman. It seems they have had no real intention of helping us.”

Even though republicans refuse to deal with the police service, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has urged all 70 people who were in Magennis’ Bar when the cut throat gang struck to give details to Ombudsman Mrs O‘Loan’s staff.

But so far only three Sinn Féin representatives and a fourth, unidentified witness have provided accounts on the January 30 brawl, which have been passed from their solicitors to the Ombudsman.

Party election candidates Cora Groogan and Deirdre Hargey, along with former Belfast councillor Sean Hayes have given statements.

All three are understood to have said they saw no fighting in the bar, with sources confirming they have little evidential value to the police investigation.

But the sisters were astonished by Ms Groogan’s version, claiming she has not supplied vital information.

They claimed a taxi driver who took her to another bar in the city heard her describe events in Magennis’s over the phone.

So far 11 people have been questioned about the murder, the IRA has expelled three men and Sinn Féin has suspended seven members.

The party has continued to face a barrage of attacks, none more vicious than from the victim’s family.

Catherine McCartney has confirmed she would not be standing for elections, but stressed it was because the effort would detract from their campaign rather than any Sinn Féin caution to avoid party politics.