Sinn Fein reinstates party members following McCartney murder
Sinn Fein has reinstated five of the 12 party members it suspended following the murder of Robert McCartney.
The party said the five individuals had followed instructions from leader Gerry Adams to give statements to the police ombudsman following the attack on Mr McCartney on January 30.
A spokesman for Sinn Fein confirmed that a decision on a sixth person who also gave a statement to ombudsman Nuala O’Loan would be made in due course.
Of the remaining 12 who were reportedly in on near Maginnis’ bar, Belfast on the night Mr McCartney was killed, the party said four members had resigned and two had been expelled for not following Mr Adams’ calls to cooperate with police.
Sinn Fein admitted that it had reviewed party procedures following the killing and said it would continue to help the McCartney family, who have been campaigning for justice.
“Following the murder of Robert McCartney, Sinn Fein made very clear our determination to help the McCartney family,” the spokesman for the party said.
“We have worked hard on the ground to create the climate in which this can happen.”
Mr McCartney’s sisters and fiance have met a number of senior politicians in their campaign to bring his killers to justice.
US president George Bush received the family at the White House in March and they have also met with US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mitchell Reiss and the Irish premier Bertie Ahern.
A 49-year-old man appeared in court earlier this month charged with the murder of father-of-two Mr McCartney.
A second man was charged with the attempted murder of Mr McCartney’s friend, Brendan Devine, on the same night.
Both suspects were remanded in custody until July 1.
