The family of Robert McCartney will tomorrow issue a public appeal for assistance in tracing his killers. The appeal will be made outside the pub where he was fatally stabbed one year ago.
Robert McCartney's five sisters, his partner Bridgeen Hagans, children Conlead and Brandon, and other family members plan to gather outside Magennis's bar - now closed - close to the Short Strand in east Belfast to urge anyone with useful information to come forward.
The appeal will coincide with the first anniversary of his murder. Mr McCartney was attacked on Sunday night, January 30th, last year inside and outside the bar by a number of IRA members who had returned from Bloody Sunday commemorations in Derry. The attack was not authorised by the IRA. He died the following day. After the appeal the family will join neighbours and friends, probably for the last time, in the house on Mount Pottinger Road in the Short Strand that was the McCartney home for 40 years and where Mr McCartney lived with his partner Bridgeen and children. In October Robert's sister Paula moved out of the Short Strand to a new home in south Belfast, while recently Ms Hagans also moved out of the area to a house in north Belfast.
The family may now sell the house. Paula McCartney said the family would also open up a special website seeking information about his murder.
One man has been charged with Mr McCartney's murder while another has been charged with the attempted murder of the man he went to assist, Brendan Devine, who was been attacked at Magennis's. The McCartneys say that there were about 15 people involved in the attack on Mr McCartney.
SDLP MP for South Belfast Dr Alasdair McDonnell said yesterday that he was deeply disappointed that one year on his killers were not charged and convicted. "Robert McCartney's murder was witnessed. That is the reality. I find it deplorable that 12 months later not one person who was in Magennis's Bar has had the decency to come forward and put an end to the torment that Robert's loved ones have had to endure since his death," he said.
"Sinn Féin may like to hide behind the number of people who have made statements, but if their total evidential value is zero, this can hardly help the family," added.
Dr McDonnell added: "It is difficult to lose a loved one in any circumstances. But the family of Robert have lost him in the most tragic and gut-wrenching way imaginable. Yet they have fought and fought, through their grief and pain, for justice for Robert - justice which is long overdue.
"I urge those people who were in the pub on the night of Robert's brutal murder to spare a thought for his two little children who are only now coming to terms with the fact that their daddy is never coming home. Do the only humane thing there is. Provide what evidence you can to help bring Robert's murderers before the law."
