Murder spells trouble for IRA

Robert McCartney’s death marks a sea change for republicans, writes John Breslin.

KNOW THIS. In republican Belfast, the murder of Robert McCartney is of far greater significance to Sinn Féin electorally and the IRA generally than the Northern Bank robbery.

While opponents of Sinn Féin cite the raid as evidence of IRA criminality, the attitude in republican areas is closer to “fair play to the lads”.

It was all a question of scale. Those who planned and carried out the robbery thought they were stealing a maximum of €4m. The heat only happened when it turned out to be one of the largest cash robberies.

Many are saying well done, what a result and if, as it is claimed, some of the money will be used as a sort of pension fund, then even better.

One of those whispered to be centrally involved is, in republican terms, something of a legendary figure within the movement. A huge man, both in stature and personality, he is also described as extremely smart and heads up the intelligence arm of the Belfast brigade.

He is also, among republicans and the general population of nationalist Belfast, regarded as a decent person.

Not so the individuals linked to the murder of Robert McCartney. He and a friend, Brendan Devine, had just walked in to a bar when an argument broke out between them and a group of republicans, who had been in Derry for a Bloody Sunday commemoration. It happened in the middle of a packed pub.

There was, it is said, some history between Mr McCartney and one of the republicans. As words were exchanged, the order went out to get a knife from the kitchen.

In full view of many of the more than 70 customers, Mr Devine’s throat was slashed. The fatal attack on Robert McCartney happened after he pulled his seriously injured friend from the bar.

If it had not been for his family, particularly his five sisters, then Sinn Féin and the IRA might have been able to deal with this internally.

However, the family are only airing a feeling that have been bubbling under the radar for many years.

It’s about certain individuals who abuse their positions within the IRA to commit criminal acts against their own community.

These areas, it has been remembered, are where people largely support both Sinn Féin and the IRA.

Complaints have been made before to Sinn Féin against at least one of the senior republicans allegedly involved in the murder.

The complaints centre on his alleged involvement in bullying and intimidating people in the Short Strand and Markets areas of the city. A sadist is how one person described him.

Others complain that IRA members alleged to have committed sexual assault have not been punished and certainly not faced charges.

These sort of complaints are not new and are not confined to Short Strand and the Markets.

SOME years ago, Andrew Kearney died after being viciously beaten in the New Lodge area of north Belfast. The dogs in the street knew who carried out the attack, all because Mr Kearney had the temerity to face up, and fight, a leading member of the local IRA.

This same person has also been the subject of other, less serious, allegations. The IRA tried to deal with him internally but he holds so much power in his own area that he remains a key figure in the organisation.

As on previous occasions, the IRA tried to play the McCartney murder as it has done others - internally and with no police involvement.

When raids were carried out on houses in the Markets area, a riot was organised. Yet, some mothers pulled their children from the street and told them not to get involved.

A vigil attended by more than 1,300 people was held.

Graffiti declaring the IRA were “scum” appeared.

Margaret Quinn, the aunt of the man murdered just over two weeks ago after being fatally attacked outside a Belfast bar, said Sinn Féin would be committing “electoral suicide” if it did not address the issue properly.

The family welcomed the IRA statement which they believe frees people to go to the police without fear of retaliation.

If that is true, it would be a remarkable situation.

Two of the individuals alleged to be involved are senior figures of long standing within the organisation.

To see them facing charges in court and a possible conviction for murder, with the full backing of the vast majority of Sinn Féin and IRA supporters, would be a watershed.