IRA expels 3 volunteers over McCartney killing

Three Provisional IRA volunteers have been dismissed from the organisation following an internal investigation into the killing of Robert McCartney, according to a statement released this evening in the name of P O'Neill.

The five-page statement released to RTE News says that one of the three has already made a statement to a solicitor about his actions and the other two have been advised "in the strongest terms possible to come forward and take responsibility for their actions as the McCartney family have asked."

While it makes clear republicans were involved in the killing of the of 33-year-old father of two outside a Belfast city-centre pub, Magennis's Whisley Café,  on January 30 ^th , the statement also repeats  the denial - made on February 16th - that the organisation was involved. The statement goes on to say that one man stabbed of Mr McCartney and also his friend Mr Brendan Devine (31) who was seriously injured in the same attack.

The statement follows three weeks of intense criticism of the organisation led by the dead man's relatives.

It also comes 24 hours after Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams met the McCartney family. After that meeting which Mr Adams described as "constructive" he said there was "an onus on us to do everything we can to bring closure to this family".

Mr Adams said those responsible for Mr McCartney's death should be brought to justice.

In particular, the McCartney family had been critical of the alleged intimidation on the part of the IRA in deterring more than 70 witnesses to the killing from making statements.

Following a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Dublin yesterday, Mr McCartney's sister, Paula, said on behalf of her family: "People haven't come forward for probably a combination of things, but mostly because people are afraid, that is just the genuine truth. People are afraid of repercussions if they do come forward."

However, according to the statement released tonight by the Provisional IRA "any intimidation or threats in the name of the IRA or otherwise to any person who wishes to help the McCartney family will not be tolerated."

The Taosiseach, Mr Ahern told the Dáil yesterday that there is "no mystery" about who was involved in the killing of Mr McCartney and the issue was co-operation with the PSNI.

"I will not mention names but I have talked to several people who told me who was involved. It is well known. There is no mystery about it," Mr Ahern said.

So far the PSNI  has arrested and questioned eight people  in relation to the killing. All have been released without charge.