McCartney family seeks talks with Sinn Féin

THE family of murdered Belfast father of two Robert McCartney yesterday requested a meeting with Sinn Féin to discuss the party’s handling of the case.

The request was made after Sinn Féin announced over the weekend that five members suspended over the case were reinstated for following party leader Gerry Adams’s instructions that they should give statements about the murder to Northern Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan.

A spokesman said a sixth person had also given a statement to Ms O’Loan’s investigators but the leadership would make a decision on that individual’s fate “in due course”.

Earlier this month, a 49-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr McCartney.

A second man was charged with the attempted murder of Mr McCartney’s friend, Brendan Devine, on the same night.

Both were remanded in custody until July 1.

Sinn Féin said that the party had ensured witnesses had come forward and made statements to solicitors, to the Police Ombudsman or else directly to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

“Sinn Féin will continue to do all that we can to help the McCartney family,” a spokesman added.

Originally 12 people were suspended by the party.

However, four of them subsequently resigned and two were expelled for not obeying Mr Adams’s calls to come forward.

Catherine McCartney, Robert’s sister, confirmed last night that an email was being sent to Sinn Féin requesting more information about the five people who had been reinstated.

“We gave specific information to Sinn Féin about members of the party and are anxious to find out who has been reinstated,” Ms McCartney said.

“The family has, therefore, requested this information and also a meeting with the party.

“We would also hope to meet other political leaders in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic and the British and Irish Governments soon to discuss Robert’s case.

She added: “They will be receiving requests for meetings in the coming days.”