McCartney murder police free man

Robert McCartney, 33, was killed near Belfast city centre

Police have released a man without charge after questioning him about the murder of Robert McCartney, who was stabbed to death in a Belfast bar.

The 31-year-old man went to a police station with a solicitor on Sunday to be interviewed.

Mr McCartney, 33, who was from the Short Strand area, was stabbed to death after a row in a bar near Belfast city centre on 30 January.

His family has blamed IRA members for the murder.

Suspensions

They have also accused the IRA of subsequent interference with evidence and witnesses.

The IRA has expelled three members over the stabbing and Sinn Fein subsequently suspended seven of its members while the police investigation takes place.

Mr McCartney's five sisters and his partner Bridgeen Hagans have launched a campaign in an attempt to bring the killers to justice.

Catherine McCartney said of the man's questioning on Sunday: "We expected this to happen and we think it's part of the strategy to trivialise the charges. We know what they are (IRA) at."