'More sophisticated' threat to McCartney sisters

The family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney received a threat from republican elements, it emerged tonight.

The sisters of Robert, who was beaten and stabbed to death outside a bar on January 30, told of their worry as this second threat appeared more sophisticated than the one from “criminal elements” earlier this month.

Catherine said the PSNI had confirmed the latest threat was from republican sectors.

She said: “This threat implies that republican elements are going to take action against the McCartney family if they continue to discredit the republican movement.”

The family spokeswoman added: “We just found out on the way up to Dublin that there has been another threat but we want to confirm the details of that.

“But we understand the wording of it is that it was from republican elements, the last threat specified criminal elements.”

The sisters – Catherine, Clare, Gemma, Paula and Donna – were in Dublin as guests of honour at a civic reception held by the city’s Lord Mayor.

Catherine said they would be ringing the PSNI to confirm further details about the threat after the ceremony tonight.

“It is worrying, as I say for us personally, I want to see more details of the threat because if it is the way it was read out, the language tends to be more sophisticated than the last threat. If you read the last threat, it was criminal elements may have threatened,” she said.

Earlier this month police visited the sisters – and Mr McCartney’s partner Bridgeen Hagans – at their Short Strand home to tell them “criminal elements” were threatening to burn down their homes and the business one of them runs.

The women believe they are being targeted by republicans for their campaign to bring their brother’s killer to justice.

Mr McCartney was stabbed in a pub frequented by republicans and his family believes the IRA was involved in the murder, with one accusing Sinn Féin of not doing all it could to help bring the killers to justice.

Catherine stressed that at some stage the police were going to have to say whether they could press charges over the killing of her brother.

She said: “If they say they cannot do that then obviously we are going to have to pursue the civil action.”

Catherine said a civil action, if it was taken, would be against 15 people the family believes were involved in the cover-up or clean-up of the death.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Michael Conaghan, hosted the civic reception to honour the family and fiancee of the father-of-two for their work in the aftermath of his death.

He said: “We on the city council have been touched by their determination and courage. These strong women have been resolute in pursuing justice for the killers of Robert McCartney.

“Their cause is a fundamental human rights issue for everyone on this island and beyond.”

The sisters were presented with a Soul Boat sculpture, designed by Clodagh Reddin, in the ceremony at the Lord Mayor’s residence, the Mansion House.

Catherine said Bridgeen had not travelled to Dublin for the ceremony as she was unwell and finding it hard to cope with everything.

The family said the reception was an acknowledgement of the support of the people of Dublin.

“This keeps the campaign highlighted and keeps the people’s support,” she said.

“It is very important, the support of the people, not that I am cynical towards politicians but sometimes politicians just see the bigger picture and lose people. Whereas people remember people.”

Sinn Féin denied republicans had any involvement in the new threat against the McCartney sisters.

A party spokesman said: “We absolutely abhor any intimidation against the family.

“But as far as we are concerned republicans are not involved in any intimidation or threat against the family.”