'IRA' bar victim's family praised

Robert McCartney, 33, was killed near Belfast city centre

The family of a Catholic man stabbed to death in Belfast have shown great dignity, the head of Northern Ireland's Presbyterian Church has said.

The Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Ken Newell, was speaking in advance of a vigil by the McCartney family on Sunday afternoon.

They blamed IRA members for killing Robert McCartney after a row in a bar and want them to turn themselves in.

A man being questioned over the murder was released on Saturday night.

It is understood he had presented himself at Musgrave Street police station and was accompanied by his solicitor.

On Friday the IRA said it had expelled three of its members over suspected involvement in the killing last month. The 33-year-old father of two died in hospital after being stabbed

Reverend Ken Newell praised the dignity of the McCartney family

The McCartney family welcomed the expulsions, but also said the move does not go far enough.

Mr Newell praised the McCartney family's dignity.

"I admire that family no end, and my heart also goes out a young family, two children, a partner and a whole family network that has been wrecked as a result of the criminality that exists in our community.

"This criminality has been around a long time, it has been around too long and now I think we are calling time on it and we are saying the time has come for you to go away and let people breathe the fresh air of freedom," he said.

The rally will be held in the Short Strand area of east Belfast, where the McCartneys live, and will call on people to provide information and turn themselves in.

Mr McCartney's sister Catherine, said all of those involved in the killing should now come forward.

Mr McCartney's sisters called on all those involved to come forward

"The IRA investigation was carried out behind closed doors therefore we are not accepting or confirming that outline," she said.

"The only way the family will know the truth is if we can hear witnesses' statements in a court.

"We believe that between 12 and 20 people were involved in the events of that night. Not all of them, we understand, were IRA members but we want all people to be encouraged or persuaded or to hand themselves in."

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said "any self respecting republican" had a responsibility to come forward if they witnessed the fatal assault.

"Had I found myself in Magennis's Bar and was caught up in these dreadful events, I would now be making myself available to the court as the McCartney family have asked," Mr Adams told the BBC's Today programme on Saturday.