McCartneys appeal to SF candidate

Robert McCartney, 33, was killed near Belfast city centre

A Sinn Fein assembly election candidate who was in a Belfast bar on the night of Robert McCartney's killing must speak to police, his family has said.

Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed to death near Belfast city centre after a row in Magennis's bar on 30 January.

Cora Groogan said she was there when the row began but saw nothing. She has given her solicitor a statement.

Sinn Fein said this was passed on to the Police Ombudsman, but the McCartneys said this was not enough.

The family has accused the IRA of shielding the killers.

Ms Groogan, who stood in Mid Ulster in November 2003, said: "I got to the bar about 10pm that Sunday. I was there for a short while.

"There was a commotion in the bar but I witnessed nothing and left shortly after 11pm. I have given a full statement to my solicitor."

Ms Groogan was among about 70 people in the bar.

For the love of Robert

One of Mr McCartney's sisters, Catherine, said: "Sinn Fein says she [Ms Groogan] has given a statement to a solicitor to pass on to the police ombudsman.

"However, we believe she should give that statement directly to the police or the police ombudsman.

"Giving statements to solicitors is not really what is needed. A statement should be given to people with the proper investigative skills who can help to bring those responsible to court."

Court justice

During the attack, Mr McCartney's friend Brendan Devine also suffered serious stab wounds.

Since Mr McCartney's death, a political campaign for justice by his family has "forced the IRA to expel three people and embarrassed Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams into suspending seven party members", BBC correspondent John Thorne says.

The IRA offered to shoot those involved in Mr McCartney's killing, but this was rejected by his family who said it was only in court that justice would be done.

The family claimed as many as 12 IRA members were involved in the cover-up following the killing.

The row erupted in a city bar

They had a meeting with IRA leaders on 5 March but said the organisation could not give them any reason why Mr McCartney was killed.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he "did not care" who was in the bar on the night of the killing as long as they helped the family's bid for truth and justice.

The Mid Ulster MP said: "I'm not going to talk about any individual. It doesn't matter who they are.

"People have a duty to help the McCartney family achieve the truth and justice that they deserve."

The family, which will travel to Washington to meet President George W. Bush next week, is now considering whether to open a campaign office.

Last week, police officers posted fresh appeals in the Short Strand area - where Mr McCartney lived - for people with information to come forward.

In total, 11 people have been arrested over the murder but all have been released without charge.