SF abstains from City Council's McCartney police motion

Sinn Fein has been criticised for not backing a motion at Belfast City Council which called for anyone with information in regard to the murder of Robert McCartney to go to the police.

The SDLP motion was passed by 33 votes to none against during a debate on Tuesday night. Sinn Fein's 13 councillors abstained after its amendment to "encourage anyone with information or evidence to go to the organisation of their choice," was not passed.

SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy said he was disappointed but not surprised by the stance taken by Sinn Fein.

"I would like them to turn round and tell everyone that if they want to go to the police, they can go without any fear of repercussion," he said.

Sinn Fein deputy mayor Joe O'Donnell said many people in the area would not go to the police.

"Our motion was to make sure they used other avenues - it was more inclusive, it represented the wishes of more people and it would ensure that more information was brought forward," he said.

A 33-year-old father of two, Robert McCartney was stabbed to death during a "bar brawl" in Belfast city centre last month.

Last night a 29-year-old man who arrested in connection with the murder was released without charge.

Earlier on Tuesday, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he was "not impressed" by the news that the IRA had expelled three of its members as a result of an internal investigation by the republican group into the murder.

(MB/SP)