Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described reports that the sisters and fiancee of murdered Robert McCartney were harassed and threatened in the Short Strand area of Belfast last night as "extraordinary".
Sisters Paula, Gemma, Donna, and Clare and Mr McCartney's partner, Bridgeen Hagan, were ordered by some residents of the area to stop handing out leaflets flagging a vigil to be held in memory of their brother, who was stabbed to death on January 30th.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
Paula McCartney also claimed today that a sister of a Sinn Fein member, suspended because of alleged involvement in the murder of Mr McCartney, said that she would be hunted out of her home if she continued.
"This was blatant discrimination, very loud and threatening, and they were trying to blacken Robert's name. They tried to provoke us into physical confrontation but we did not rise to it," she said.
"The verbal abuse was sickening and they were attempting to smear Robert's name. Someone was also trying to take photographs of us. We were forced to abandon the delivery after the crowd had gathered."
Commenting on the incident today Mr Ahern said: "That seems to me an extraordinary position to adopt on a family who have lost their brother through murdering thugs.
"Anyone who has influence over these people should be making sure that...people can have a vigil."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the incident proves what the family are up against.
"These reports show the character of the abuse and the insinuations that the McCartney family are up against", said Mr Durkan. "Taking on some big forces, taking on some small minded people."
The vigil will be held on Sunday afternoon outside Magennis's bar where Mr McCartney was murdered.