Sinn Féin has lifted its suspension on five of the six party members who were still suspended following the murder in January of Robert McCartney, writes Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor.
A statement released on Saturday said: "At the time of the incident 12 members of Sinn Féin were in Maginnis's bar or its vicinity. The ardchomhairle followed party procedure to establish whether all of these members had followed Gerry Adams's direction [ to come forward with evidence]. Through this process all 12 were suspended, without prejudice. Of these 12, four resigned and two were expelled for refusing to follow this instruction. The remaining six have made statements to the Police Ombudsman and are continuing to co-operate with her office. Five of these have had their suspensions lifted, with immediate effect, as they have complied with Sinn Féin's direction on this matter. A decision on the sixth person will be made in due course."