Paula McCartney: 'We are very, very relieved'
Two men have been remanded in custody today in connection with events surrounding the death of Robert McCartney.
Speaking outside court Mr McCartney's sister, Paula, said: "We are very, very relieved that the first step of what is going to be a very long process is over.
"It has to be remembered that there was a lot more people involved in Robert’s murder and we will not be happy until all those people who were involved are brought to account."
The five sisters of 33-year-old Mr McCartney were in Belfast Magistrates’ Court to see Terence Davison, (aged 49), charged with the murder of the father-of-two.
Mr McCartney, from Belfast, was beaten and stabbed to death after being dragged from a bar near the markets area of the city on January 30, this year.
A second man, 36-year-old James McCormick, was charged with the attempted murder of Mr McCartney’s friend, Brendan Devine, during the attack outside Magennis’s Bar.
Davison and McCormick, both from the Markets area of south Belfast deny the charges.
At the start of the hearing Davison, who was wearing a blue polo shirt and jeans, was asked if he understood the charge. He replied: "Yes."
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Dunwoody told the court that when he put the charge to Davison at Antrim, he replied: “Definitely not guilty.”
Mr Dunwoody said two witnesses had given statements identifying Davison but there was no forensic evidence linking him to the murder.
McCormick, who was wearing a blue checked shirt and jeans, nodded when he was asked if he understood the charge against him.
The court heard two witnesses had given statements identifying McCormick and there was also some forensic evidence against him.
Mr Justice Ken Nixon remanded both men in custody and told them they will re-appear by video link on July 1.
