Two questioned over attack on McCartney's friend

12/10/2005 - 13:24:14
Two men were being questioned today about an attack on a close friend of IRA murder victim Robert McCartney.

They were arrested during police raids in Belfast’s Short Strand district.

Police confirmed the pair were being held in connection with an assault in the area last month.

Jeff Commander, a friend of knife victim Mr McCartney, was left with serious head injuries after being beaten with iron bars and sewer rods on September 12.

The father of five, who was with his wife Sinead, was attacked by up to eight men.

At one stage a knife was produced by the gang.

Mr McCartney’s sisters and fiancee Bridgeen Hagans, whose demand for justice over his killing has taken them to the White House, claimed at the time the attack proved an IRA intimidation campaign against them was intensifying.

One man charged with murdering the father of two outside a Belfast bar in January is expected to stand trial next year.

A second is accused of attempting to murder another friend who was with Mr McCartney on the night, he died in an attack which seriously embarrassed the republican leadership.

In the latest development, police swooped early today.

A spokeswoman said: “As part of a planned police operation a number of searches have been carried out this morning in relation to a serious assault in the Short Strand area on September 12.

“Two men have been arrested and are helping police with their inquiries.”