Sinn Féin has selected a candidate to fight for its Short Strand Belfast Council seat, currently held by Belfast deputy lord mayor Joe O'Donnell, which Paula McCartney is also considering contesting.
Sinn Féin selected community worker Deborah Devenny to contest the local government seat in May, and also to compete for the East Belfast Westminster seat held by DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson.
Ms McCartney, sister of murdered Short Strand man Robert McCartney, has indicated that to highlight the family's "Justice for Robert" campaign, she may also contest the Short Strand council seat.
She has yet to take a final decision on the matter.
Ms Devenny, who replaces the outgoing Mr O'Donnell, yesterday expressed support for the McCartneys.
"The horrific murder of Robert McCartney has clearly caused immense anguish and upset within the community here in the Short Strand.
"Robert was a valued member of our community and I support fully the campaign by his family for justice," she said.
"There are also major social and economic challenges facing this community.
"There is a severe lack of social housing for nationalists in east Belfast and there needs to be a greater community involvement in the ongoing regeneration of the Laganside area," added Ms Devenny.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has again claimed that the PSNI is "dragging its heels" on key elements of its investigation into Mr McCartney's murder.
He repeated his accusation that the PSNI had turned away a key suspect and witness whose testimony "would be key in bringing forward charges" and that police had failed in their duty to put suspects on an identity parade to test if witnesses would implicate them in the killing.
"This investigation is being driven by political considerations rather than justice," added Mr McGuinness.
The PSNI has rejected these charges while the McCartney family say that no witness has yet come forward with evidence that could convict Robert McCartney's killers.
