Family meets US ambassador over Dublin killing

The family of Dublin murder victim Joseph Rafferty met US ambassador to Ireland James C

The family of Dublin murder victim Joseph Rafferty met US ambassador to Ireland James C. Kenny at the US embassy this afternoon.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Garry Keegan who accompanied the family said Ambassador Kenny was fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the murder.

The Rafferty family has claimed Joseph was murdered by a suspected member of the IRA. Family members say a campaign of intimidation that has been mounted against them.

The family hopes a possible meeting with US politicians, similar to those attended by the sisters of Robert McCartney, might assist her family's campaign.

Cllr Keegan said the ambassador agreed at today's meeting to discuss the killing with President Bush's Special Envoy Mitchell Reiss and to continue monitoring developments in the case.

Sinn Féin has strenuously denied republicans are protecting Mr Rafferty's killers and have called for those with information to come forward.

"The murder of Joe Rafferty was a cowardly and brutal act and those responsible must be brought before the courts and face justice," the party said in a statement.
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