Man arrested in McCartney investigation
A suspected associate of Belfast man Robert McCartney’s killers handed himself over to police today.
He walked into a city centre police station alone to meet with detectives as the British government demanded more action by the IRA to turn in the men who slashed the victim’s throat.
With Gerry Adams and the Sinn Féin leadership facing a major political crisis over the horrific killing, Secretary of State Paul Murphy said the decision by the Provisionals to expel three members allegedly involved was not enough.
The man who volunteered to meet officers at Musgrave Street police station is not one of those thrown out of the organisation.
But detectives believe he was in a Belfast bar with the gang on the same night they battered and stabbed Mr McCartney to death.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman confirmed: “A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Robert McCartney.”
Sisters of the dead man, from the Short Strand district of the city, have staged a determined campaign to bring his killers to justice.
They allege that witnesses have been intimidated by republicans attempting to thwart the police investigation with a wall of silence.
The murder has threatened to inflict serious damage on a republican movement still reeling from the multi-million pound Northern Bank heist blamed on the IRA and allegations of a massive Provo money laundering racket.
The organisation said three of its members were expelled following an internal inquiry.
But as he praised 33-year-old Mr McCartney’s sisters for staging street rallies and lobbying Irish and American Government support, Mr Murphy dismissed the IRA’s disciplinary announcement.
He said: “It doesn’t go far enough.
“The important thing is that we actually catch the murderers and also that witnesses in the Short Strand and elsewhere who might know something about this come to police and tell police all they know.
“The appeal from Robert McCartney’s family in order for people to be allowed to go to police is absolutely crucial.”
Even though some of those who were in Magennis’s Bar when a brawl in Mr McCartney broke out on January 30 are believed to have made contact with detectives, police have still to get anyone willing to testify and supply vital evidence.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde confirmed a number of people have contacted investigating officers, but none are believed to be willing to provide crucial evidence and testify.
He also took a swipe at the IRA’s action, saying: “I’m not that impressed by illegal organisations ejecting people who have committed illegal acts.
“This was not committed just by three people. We are looking to gather evidence against anyone that was involved in the actual offence, or in a conspiracy to commit the offence or in the affray around the offence.”
As the victim’s family attended a council debate at City Hall calling for full support for their fight, one of the sisters claimed gang members are still openly walking the streets.
Paula McCartney said: “One of them was in St Matthew’s social club (in Short Strand) the night before last.
“Those involved are going about their daily lives, being seen in the community. It’s sickening.
“Our lives are ripped apart and we are the victims.”
As the pressure surrounding republicans showed no sign of easing, Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness insisted he wanted to see the murderers brought to court.
Urging any witnesses to come forward, he stopped short of saying they should speak to the police.
“Paul Murphy is aware of the huge difficulties that the nationalist and republican constituency has with the PSNI,” the Mid Ulster MP said.
He added: “Some people are saying ‘Why doesn’t Sinn Féin hand these people over?’ Do they want Sinn Féin to go out and abduct people and then Sinn Féin is in even more trouble?
“Do they want the IRA to abduct people and then the IRA is in more trouble?”
