Robert McCartney's fiancee, Bridgeen Hagans, and his sister, Paula McCartney, have indicated they are planning to leave their native Short Strand area of east Belfast because of alleged republican intimidation.
They are considering this move after a series of incidents of intimidation, the latest of which was an attack on the home of Ms Hagans. Her partner was murdered by republicans in January. Both Sinn Fein and the IRA have publicly condemned the killing and claim to what those responsible brought to justice.
Early on Saturday night stones and beer cans were hurled at Ms Hagans's house, the family said. She was asleep in her home with her two sons, Conlaed (4) and Brandon (2), at the time. When she investigated, she found the livingroom window shattered.
Sinn Féin representatives blamed the attack on Ms Hagans's home on loyalists who, they claim, came into the Short Strand and attacked a number of nationalist homes.
East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Deborah Devenny said loyalists were involved in "attacking a number of homes in the Short Strand area".
She said she spoke to some women witnesses who could confirm loyalists were involved. They alerted some local men, who "chased" the loyalists away.
"These attacks obviously came in the wake of the weekend Orange Order and UVF parade past the Short Strand [on Friday night] and tensions were obviously running high.
"I would appeal to nationalists in the area to remain vigilant in the days approaching the Twelfth."
Ms McCartney, however, insisted the only home attacked was Ms Hagans'. She said many local people found it incredible that loyalists would have the temerity to enter the area, pass other nationalist homes and by coincidence target Ms Hagans's house alone.
"Bridgeen lives in the old family home on Mount Pottinger Road where we lived as a family for 40 years. Loyalists have come into the area from time to time but never have they come as far down as Bridgeen's house," said Ms McCartney.
"The PSNI also have CCTV footage to say that at the time Bridgeen's home was attacked there were no strangers on the road. If Sinn Féin don't accept that, why don't they ask the PSNI to see the footage?"
Ms McCartney said Ms Hagans was now considering leaving the area because of the intimidation.
"This is proving especially traumatic for Conlaed, who is still mourning his dad. He hasn't felt safe in his own home since Robert was murdered, and this latest incident has made matters much worse."
She said she and Bridgeen and their families were the only members of the McCartney family living in the Short Strand. She and her husband and five children had also initiated moves to leave. "In my case I am not planning to leave because of the intimidation but because there are people allegedly involved in Robert's murder who are allowed by the IRA to walk freely around this area. It is just getting too much to take."
