18/04/2005

McCartney vigil passes off peacefully

A prayer vigil for murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney passed off without incident on Sunday.

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, yesterday’s event passed off peacefully with several hundred people attending.

Paula McCartney said "We believe that the IRA and Sinn Fein have the power to deliver these people to justice," she said.

"Until that is done, we do not believe that Sinn Fein have done all they can to help this family."

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.

(MB/GB)

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