McCartney family bring campaign to Europe

The sisters of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney are in Strasbourg today for a sitting of the European Parliament.

The McCartneys are due to observe a debate on a motion that could see the European Council and Commission provide a financial contribution should the family take a civil action against their brother's killers.

Most political groups in the European parliament have already pledged their support to the family's campaign to bring the killers to justice.

Mr McCartney, a 33-year-old father-of-two, was beaten and stabbed to death outside a pub in Belfast on January 30, allegedly by IRA members.

His sisters have accused the republican movement of mounting a cover-up to prevent those responsible from being arrested and charged.