30/01/2008

Trial Looms For McCartney Accused

The only man to be charged with the brutal murder of east Belfast man, Robert McCartney, is to go on trial this spring it was confirmed today.

Ironically, on the third anniversary of the killing it was revealed that Terence Davison (51) would go on trial in Belfast on either April 7 or May 12 - depending on openings on the Court List, said a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Court Service.

Two other men will stand trial with him charged with affray.

Details were confirmed as the McCartney family marked the third anniversary of his death.

The 33-year-old father of two died the day after he was beaten and stabbed outside a bar close to Belfast city centre.

At least 10 people were involved in the killing and his sisters, Paula, Catherine, Donna, Gemma and Claire, together with his fiancee Bridgeen Hagans, have fought to lift the wall of silence which has surrounded the murder.

The have campaigned around the world for pressure to be put on the IRA and Sinn Fein to help convict the killers.

The McCartneys marked the anniversary in their own way away from the spotlight.

They are now pinning their hopes on the trial providing more information about the murder which would enable them to mount a civil action against those they believe are responsible in the same way the Omagh bomb families are.

(BMcC)


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