McCartney family warned of threats

Police in Belfast tonight warned the family of Robert McCartney, the murdered father of two, of threats from “criminal elements” to have them burnt out of their homes and business.

Catherine McCartney revealed she and her four sisters Paula, Gemma, Claire, Donna and Bridgeen Hagans were told of the threat tonight.

“They told us that the threat to burn us out of our homes and to burn down Donna’s business came from criminal elements,” she confirmed.

Police visited the homes of the McCartney sisters just days after the European Parliament backed moves to secure funding from the EU for a civil action against Robert's killers if criminal proceedings do not take place.

Catherine McCartney told the Press Association: “These threats tonight are not going to deter us and they illustrate the type of people we are dealing with.

“We are told they are coming from criminal elements but we would like to know exactly what that means.

“Does that mean criminal elements from within a terrorist organisation?”

The IRA has expelled three members over their involvement in the brutal stabbing and beating of Robert McCartney outside a Belfast city centre bar on January 30.

The Provisionals have also insisted all those involved in the attack, during which Mr McCartney’s friend Brendan Devine was also injured, should help the family’s quest for justice.