McCartneys seek meeting with SF

The family of murdered Belfast father-of-two Robert McCartney today requested a meeting with Sinn Féin to discuss the party's handling of the case.

The request was made after Sinn Féin announced last night five members suspended over the case were reinstated for following party leader Gerry Adams` instructions that they should give statements about the murder to Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan.

A spokesman said a sixth person had also given a statement to Mrs O`Loan's investigators but the leadership would make a decision on that individual's fate "in due course".

Earlier this month a 49-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr McCartney.

A second man was charged with the attempted murder of Mr McCartney`s friend, Brendan Devine, on the same night, and both were remanded in custody until July 1.

Sinn Féin said it had ensured witnesses had come forward and made statements to solicitors, to the Police Ombudsman or directly to the PSNI.

"Sinn Fein will continue to do all that we can to help the McCartney family," a spokesman added.

However, the McCartney sisters have previously insisted SF have not helped in their quest for justice.