26/04/2005

Sinn Fein expel party members over McCartney murder

Sinn Fein has expelled two of its members over the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney, it confirmed yesterday.

The party said the two individuals, who have not been named, were expelled because they refused to follow an instruction by party president Gerry Adams to give a “full and frank statement” about the killing.

Last week Mr McCartney’s fiancé and five sisters held the vigil near the Markets area where he was attacked and killed on January 30.

There were worries that the gathering could lead to trouble after members of the McCartney family claimed they had been warned to stop handing out leaflets about the vigil by elements in Short Strand, where the family are from. However, the vigil passed off without incident.

The 33-year-old father of two died after he was stabbed following a row in a Belfast bar.

The IRA has been blamed for the murder as well as interfering with evidence and witnesses by the McCartney family.

(MB/SP)

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