The McCartney sisters returned to Ireland yesterday after they succeeded in their efforts to gain US and White House support for their campaign to achieve justice for their murdered brother, Robert.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams also returned from his St Patrick's week US visit, saying that he was "uplifted" by the support he received there.
The McCartney sisters stated, however ,that despite the positive response from senior US politicians, including President George Bush, a continuing "wall of silence" was thwarting the conviction of the killers of their brother.
The McCartney sisters and Robert McCartney's fiancée, Bridgeen, were applauded at Dublin Airport on their return yesterday from Washington. "We achieved what we set out to get, which is the support of everyone in America for our cause," said Catherine McCartney.
"But more importantly we're back home and what we want is action. It's no good just sitting on the sidelines calmly giving support, we need action not just from Sinn Féin, who created the wall of silence, but also from the Irish and British governments to make sure that they do something so that the wall of silence is broken down," she added.
Buoyed by the strength of the reaction in the US, the McCartneys intend staging a number of rallies, including one outside Magennis's bar in Belfast on the street where Mr McCartney was fatally stabbed over seven weeks ago. They are also planning to take their "Justice for Robert" campaign to the European Parliament, and to continue their lobbying of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Downing Street and the US administration.
While the IRA has "ordered" those involved in the murder to make themselves accountable to the courts, even going so far as offering to shoot those centrally implicated, police sources and family members say no one has yet come forward with evidence that could convict the killers.
The sisters also complained yesterday that two of the main suspects were involved in organising the St Patrick's Day parade in the Short Strand in Belfast.
Catherine McCartney said yesterday that she has decided against running as a candidate in the forthcoming British general election. She was considering contesting Gerry Adams's West Belfast seat. Her sister, Paula, is still deliberating over whether she should run in the local elections for the Short Stand area.
Mr Adams speaking from Cleveland, Ohio just before his weekend return to Ireland, said he understood that his US visit was reported by some sections of the media in negative terms.
"This is not the reality," he said, notwithstanding his not being invited to the St Patrick's Day White House function and leading US politicians such as Senator Edward Kennedy snubbing and criticising him.
"Sinn Féin's main connection into the United States is Irish America. In a week-long series of events in six cities, I have been uplifted by the support of that very sizeable section of society here. In Washington I met with a number of US Congress members who remain very supportive."
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin would resolutely meet the challenges ahead. "I've made no secret of my belief that because republicans want the biggest changes, we have to take the biggest risks," he said.
Mr Adams added: "Many of our opponents are comfortable with the current crisis but they too will be challenged in the time ahead. The British and Irish governments know what they have to do to rebuild the process. In my meeting in Washington with the Taoiseach we discussed all of the outstanding issues."