McCartneys nominated for humanitarian award

The sisters of murdered Belfast father-of-two Robert McCartney have been nominated for an international humanitarian award, it was announced today.

The siblings’ fight for justice for their brother has taken them from the Short Strand area of east Belfast to the White House and the European Parliament.

Their fearless campaign has captured the imagination of world leaders and now a nomination for the annual Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.

Other names on the shortlist include tycoon turned philanthropist Tom Hunter and Archbishop Pius Ncube, a vocal critic of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

The winner will be announced during a gala concert at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire next Friday.

The five McCartney sisters and Robert’s fiancee, Bridgeen Hagans, have suffered threats that they will be burned out of their homes amid their continued bid to bring to court members of the IRA they accuse of murdering Robert.

The 33-year-old forklift driver was drinking in Magennis’ bar in Belfast city centre on January 30 when he was beaten and stabbed to death.

The panel must choose someone they feel best upholds the principles of tolerance, friendship and humanity, as reflected in the poetry of Roberts Burns.