McCartney breakthrough 'closer'

The McCartney sisters are seeking justice for their brother's death

A sister of Robert McCartney has said police have told her they are "closer to a breakthrough" in the investigation into her brother's murder.

The 33-year-old was fatally stabbed outside a Belfast pub. His family have maintained IRA members were involved.

Speaking after meeting US special envoy Mitchell Reiss, Paula McCartney said police had told her witnesses were being a lot more co-operative.

Detectives were a "lot more confident in their language", she said.

Ms McCartney added investigators were able to tell the family that they have received more information and "hopefully arrests will happen sooner rather than later".

A police spokesperson described the murder investigation as an "active and challenging inquiry focused on bringing to justice the killers of Robert McCartney".

They said there were still people in the community with information that would help the investigation and urged them to come forward.

Before meeting the McCartney family Mr Reiss had met Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.

The 33-year-old father-of-two was killed near the city centre

After the one hour meeting Mr Adams said he told the envoy that following the elections there was now an imperative to move the process forward.

Mr Adams said that while the DUP would have to be part of any revised institutions it did not have to give its permission for "other entitlements" including the equality agenda and a bill of rights.

Mr Reiss said he wanted the IRA to officially declare it had turned its back on terrorism. He said he was hopeful the IRA would respond soon.

Mr Reiss also met an SDLP delegation on Wednesday.

The party's Alex Attwood said the envoy agreed with them that there must be a very strong stand to end organised crime on the island of Ireland.

Mr Attwood also said Mr Reiss supported their view that whatever the DUP had planned, they were not going to do damage to the Good Friday Agreement.

On Tuesday, Mr Reiss had his first meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain in London.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Hain said America was a "powerful partner" in the efforts for peace in Northern Ireland.