McCartney campaign - Award backs family’s fight for justice

IF the bullyboys of the IRA harbour any illusion about the popularity of the cause pursued by the sisters and fiancée of Robert McCartney, they should think again.

The family of the 33-year-old father of two from Belfast who was murdered last January, have collectively received the Irish People of the Year Award.

There could be no stronger endorsement of the women’s campaign for justice. As Finance Minister Brian Cowen succinctly put it, people want to live free of fear and intimidation. Let us hope this award marks a turning point in helping bring the killers to justice.

With news of IRA decommissioning expected this week, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams would gain further kudos by ordering republicans to call off their on-going campaign of intimidation against the McCartney family.