McCartney sisters press conference: The sisters of the murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney have said they will not accept that "everything that can be done has been done" until those responsible for his death and their accomplices have appeared in court.
Two of the five sisters, Catherine and Paula McCartney, made their comments at a brief press conference after they heard the speech by Sinn Féin party president Gerry Adams speech to the party's ardfheis in the RDS on Saturday.
Catherine McCartney told reporters that "we have said from the start that we would go anywhere and talk to anyone who could help us. There has been a very warm welcome from those involved today but the bottom line is that until those who committed Robert's murder and their accomplices, are brought to justice and appear in court, we will not accept that everything that can be done has been done."
The sisters were "encouraged that Gerry Adams will not let it go, but until justice is delivered on the ground, this is not over. That is what we want - people in court for Robert's murder."
Asked if there was a danger that their presence at the ardfheis might send mixed signals, Ms McCartney said: "We don't feel that this is an issue that should divide nationalists or republicans or any community in Ireland. This is a social justice issue. These men murdered my brother. Everyone knows who they are. They have to be held accountable."
Mr McCartney was stabbed and beaten to death in a row at a pub in the Short Strand area of east Belfast at the end of January.
Invited by Mr Adams to the ardfheis, Catherine, Paula, Donna, Gemma and Claire accepted early yesterday afternoon and arrived by car from Belfast about 10 minutes before Mr Adams was due to address the ardfheis.
Surrounded by cameras, photographers and reporters, they were greeted at the door by Mr Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.
Senior Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly was also present as the women were ushered into the conference where they received a standing ovation.
They were seated in the front row of the auditorium and Mr Adams and a party press officer sat with them. During his almost hour-long speech, the party president publicly welcomed them again and said that he had invited them to demonstrate "that we are on their side". The five sisters sat silently and without clapping, through the speech.
Mr Adams said the McCartney sisters had made a "just demand" and those responsible for their brother's murder should admit in court to what they did. "I am not letting this issue go until those who have sullied the republican cause are made to account for their action."
The women were ushered out of the main hall immediately after the speech and about half an hour later spoke to the media. Asked how the meeting went, they said there had been no meeting. They had come to the ardfheis to hear Mr Adams's speech.
