Delayed McCartney Case Begins

The family of a murdered Belfast man last night had to endure a further delay of 24 hours as the trial of those accused in relation to his death was adjourned.

The case is now scheduled to start today at 11am at Belfast Crown Court.

Terence Malachy Davison (51) is accused of murdering Short Strand father-of-two, Robert McCartney, who was beaten and stabbed to death outside Magennis's bar in Belfast on January 30, 2005.

Davison also faces a charge of causing an affray on the same date.

James McCormick (47) has also been charged with causing an affray and a third man, 39-year-old Joseph Gerard Emmanuel Fitzpatrick, is also facing a charge of causing an affray and assaulting Edward Gowdy on the same date.

The case against the three men had been due to be opened by Crown prosecutor Gordon Kerr QC yesterday.

However, an application was made to Lord Justice Higgins by Davison's defence team who requested the opening of the case be deferred until today.

He described the adjournment as "regrettable", but said he had no alternative but to agree to the request.

All three accused have denied the charges against them.

A High Court order has banned the press from disclosing their addresses.

Mr McCartney's campaigning five sisters and the deceased's fiancé Bridgeen Hagans attended the hearing and are expected back today.

The family have travelled far and near to lobby politicians and others for justice for Mr McCartney, who they had always said was murdered by IRA members.

See: Adams repeats call for information on McCartney murder

(BMcC)