IRA kicks out three members after murder probe

The IRA has expelled three of its members over the murder of a man outside a Belfast bar, it emerged tonight.

In a statement the organisation declared that it was not involved in the killing of Robert McCartney on January 30 but revealed that it had carried out an investigation prior to a fuller inquiry.

The statement said: “The IRA leadership along with the leadership of the Belfast command initiated disciplinary proceedings through Court Martial. This was in accordance with IRA standing orders.

“These proceedings were directed only against IRA volunteers.

“The outcome of the Courts Martial includes the dismissal of three volunteers, two of whom were high-ranking volunteers.”

The republican movement has been under intense pressure over the brutal stabbing of Mr McCartney, with his family claiming the murder gang was being protected by republicans.

Detectives have questioned a number of suspects about the attack, including one high-ranking IRA man in the city, but have failed to press charges due to a wall of silence.

The victim’s four sisters, who urged both the American and Irish governments to intervene in their fight to bring the killers to justice, claimed some witnesses had been frightened out of going to police.

With Sinn Féin already facing a growing crisis over allegations that the IRA carried out the multi-million pound Northern Bank heist in Belfast, and have been running a huge money laundering racket, party leaders have gone to the McCartney family in a bid to offer any assistance possible.

Just 24 hours after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams held new talks with the relatives the IRA reaffirmed its position that no one should hinder or impede the McCartney family in their quest.

Referring to the members who had been expelled, the statement said: “One of these volunteers had already gone to a solicitor immediately after the incident to make a statement of his actions on that night.

“The other two were advised in the strongest terms possible to come forward and to take responsibility for their actions as the McCartney family have asked.”

It added: “Any intimidation or threats in the name of the IRA or otherwise to any person who wishes to help the McCartney family will not be tolerated.

“The internal disciplinary steps taken by the IRA are a matter for the IRA. They are not intended to be, nor should they be seen as, a substitute for the requests of the McCartney family.

“IRA volunteers fully understand that they are bound by rules and regulations and a code of conduct.

“There will be no tolerance of anyone who steps outside of these rules, regulations or code.

“Anyone who brings the IRA into disrepute will be held accountable.”

Mr McCartney was battered and knifed after a brawl involving a number of republicans broke out in a Belfast bar.

The 33-year-old forklift driver died later in hospital.

Even though the Sinn Féin leadership publicly urged any witnesses to alert either the family or else contact a solicitor, it stopped short of recommending they speak to the Northern Ireland police service which the party still refuses to recognise.

After meeting the dead man’s relatives and his partner Bridgeen Mr Adams claimed it was the patriotic duty of everyone to help bring the murderers to account.

It had been claimed that McGinnis’s bar, where the fight first broke out, had been forensically cleaned by a group of men after the attack.

Close circuit security footage was also allegedly seized in a bid to thwart any police investigation.

But the IRA statement claimed: “No materials under the control of or belonging to the IRA were produced or used at any time during this savage attack.

“A member of the bar staff was threatened by an individual who then took the CCTV tape away and destroyed it.

“Those at the scene are responsible for the clean-up or destruction of evidence at the scene.”

Despite the disciplinary actions announced by the Provisionals, a hard-line Democratic Unionist assembly member issued a blistering attack on the organisation.

Ian Paisley Jnr said: “No one should be fooled by this diversionary tactic of a pretend purge of the IRA ranks.

“The statement only highlights that the confusion that exists within the IRA who last week told us they were not involved in criminality and tonight pretend they have purged those who are criminals.

“There’s no call in this statement to support the police and there’s no effort by the IRA to stand down, decommission and remove themselves off the face of humanity.”

The SDLP party accused the Provisionals of mounting a highly cynical exercise.

Deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said: “They offered three out of a gang of 12 who not only murdered Robert McCartney but concealed evidence and obstructed the investigation.

“There were 12 Provos involved and some of the culprits are being protected by sacrificing these three.

“There have been calculated efforts by some people in this cynical deal which won’t stand up to public scrutiny and doesn’t deserve public approval.

“The real test is evidence to the police and evidence to the court. The three expelled members giving statements to solicitors itself may amount to very little.”