Sister moving house after murder

Paula McCartney: "Disgusted with the whole politics of the country"

One of the sisters of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney is to move out of her home because of painful memories of her brother's death.

Paula McCartney, who is leaving her Short Strand home of 40 years, said she was "disgusted" with how the murder has been handled.

Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed outside a Belfast pub in January.

"If I had my way and if I had the means to do so I would leave the country and that's the truth," said Paula.

"I just can't stomach any longer the fact that there are still people who were allegedly involved in Robert's murder who are still walking round the area freely.

"I'm just disgusted with the whole politics of the country and the whole way in which Robert's murder has been dealt with."

Robert McCartney was stabbed outside a Belfast bar on 30 January

Last month, the McCartney family requested a meeting with Sinn Fein to discuss the party's handling of the case.

It followed the party's decision to reinstate five out of 12 of its members, suspended after the murder.

Mr McCartney's sisters and partner have frequently met senior politicians in their campaign for justice over the killing.

They met US President George Bush at the White House in Washington in March and have also met with US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mitchell Reiss and the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

Two men were charged in connection with Mr McCartney's death and remanded in custody in June.