The relatives of two men allegedly murdered by IRA members today said they were considering legal action to freeze Sinn Féin's fundraising assets in the US in a bid to force republicans to help convict the killers.
The families of Belfast father-of-two Robert McCartney and Dublin courier Joseph Rafferty arrived at the White House today to meet US President George Bush and accused Sinn Féin of shielding those who murdered their loved ones.
Mr McCartney's sister Catherine said the republican movement was "impeding justice", while her mother Kathleen said the past year had been a nightmare.
Ms McCartney said: "Robert's murderers are still being protected by Sinn Féin and the IRA. The republican movement have not just done absolutely nothing, they're actually impeding and frustrating justice.
Mr Rafferty's sister Esther said if she saw Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams in the White House she would ask him why he was "protecting the killer" of her brother. "There's only one obstacle to justice and that is Sinn Fein," she added.
Fianna Fáil councillor Gary Keegan, who is supporting the Rafferty family's case, said: "We met a law firm here yesterday and we are exploring legal avenues.
"For example, Sinn Féin are registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act here. There is a precedent for organisations that are proven or suspected to be implicated in illegal activity that their assets can be frozen and fundraising endeavours suspended pending the outcome of the case."
Ms McCartney acknowledged such a move would be aimed at putting pressure on the leadership of Sinn Féin.