Police in the North have made a new appeal in their investigation into the murder of Robert McCartney near a Belfast bar two years ago today.
The 33-year-old died and his friend Brendan Devine was seriously injured when they were stabbed repeatedly during a fight outside the city centre bar.
The murder of the 33-year-old sparked a political crisis after accusations that members of the Republican Movement were involved.
Mr McCartneys sisters and his partner Bridgeen Hagans claimed the IRA was shielding those responsible for the murder. Following the murder Sinn Féin suspended 12 of its members and called on witnesses to come forward to the police.
The IRA denied involvement but later claimed it had expelled three of its men, and even offered to shoot those responsible.
Last night, detectives investigating the murder renewing their appeal for information.
Detective Superintendent Kevin Dunwoody said: "Both Robert and Brendan were stabbed following an incident which started in Magennis' Bar in May Street around 10.40pm on the Sunday night of January 30th and continued outside the bar in Market Street and into Cromac Square.
"Brendan Devine was stabbed and was seriously injured but survived the attack. Robert, tragically, later died of his injuries. While a small number of people actually assaulted Robert and Brendan, others helped and supported those in what they did and afterwards".
So far, one person has been charged with Mr McCartney's murder. A number of other individuals have been reported for offences linked to the murder.
Detective Superintendent Dunwoody called on a number of drivers who were in the area to come forward.
"There were two cars - one blue and one silver - waiting at the traffic lights to turn right onto Cromac Street. We are still appealing for the people in the blue car to come forward and to tell us what they saw," he added.
