Sisters arrive back to carry on fight for justice
The McCartney sisters today called for action to catch the killers of their brother, as they returned from their visit with US President George Bush.
The five sisters, along with Bridgeen Hagans, the 27-year-old partner of the murdered Robert McCartney, were cheered and clapped by a crowd at Dublin airport when they returned from their five day trip to Washington.
“We achieved what we set out to get, which is the support of everyone in America for our cause,” said Catherine McCartney.
“But more importantly we’re back home and what we want is action. It’s no good just sitting on the sidelines calmly giving support, we need action not just from Sinn Féin, who created the wall of silence, but also from the Irish and British governments to make sure that they do something so that the wall of silence is broken down.”
Ms McCartney, a 36-year-old politics teacher said she and her sisters were disgusted when they learnt that two of the leading suspects in the murder of their brother outside Magennis’s Bar on January 30 had key roles in the St Patrick’s Day parade in the Short Strand in Belfast.
The McCartney family had planned to run as independent candidates in the forthcoming British general election to advance their campaign to bring their brothers killers to justice.
But Ms McCartney said she had decided personally that she would not be running.
“I’ve decided it’s not the best way forward for my cause. Paula herself hasn’t come to a conclusive decision,” she said.
The McCartney sisters were given a Garda escort from the arrival hall to a waiting taxi outside.
The sisters have expressed frustration that the police investigation into their 33-year-old brother's death has progressed no further since they flew out.
A PSNI spokesman today confirmed that the murder inquiry was still at the same stage.
“Senior investigating officers have not returned to us with new developments,” he said.
Sinn Féin TD Aengus O’Snodaigh said he was not aware of the family’s allegations about key suspects taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade.
“I don’t wish to comment until I can confirm the facts,” he said.
In Washington, the family met President Bush, who said he was 100% behind them and that justice would be done.
They conducted dozens of media interviews and met with US senators such as John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
The sisters felt a particular empathy with Senator Edward Kennedy, who had also lost close members of his family in tragic circumstances.
He offered to arrange a tour of Washington for them and also phoned their 61-year-old mother, Kathleen, in Belfast. She had lost another son, Gerard, four years ago, when he took his own life.
Claire McCartney, a 27-year-old trainee teacher, has said in her US diary that the family had controlled their grief to maintain their strength.
“I haven’t even started to grieve yet. It will hit hard when it does.”
The McCartney family are planning to continue their campaign by organising a national petition, holding rallies outside Magennis’s pub in Belfast and visiting senior members of the European Parliament.
