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”.