A sister of murder victim Robert McCartney is considering standing against Sinn Féin as an independent in May's local government elections.
Ms Paula McCartney (40) said she was "considering all the options" as her family continues to make a high-profile case for justice in the wake of the fatal stabbing of her brother outside a Belfast bar on January 30th.
The family believes the IRA was involved in the murder and in subsequent attempts to frustrate the PSNI inquiry through the intimidation of witnesses.
Last week the McCartneys greeted an IRA statement, signed by P O'Neill, which said that no obstacle should be placed in the way of attempts to achieve justice in the case.
The family say they have confidence in the PSNI and believe its investigation of the murder is the best route to justice.
In an interview with the Sunday Life newspaper yesterday, Ms Paula McCartney said: "As my family continues the quest to have the men who brutally murdered my brother put behind bars, we have to look at all the options available to us."
Referring to the forthcoming council elections, she said: "There is a possibility of contesting the local government elections, but a decision like that is a long way away, at this stage. All we want is justice for Robert. We are determined to keep up the pressure on the people who murdered him."
She added: "A senior republican, central to Robert's murder, has been seen by a member of the family in conversation with a potential key witness to the killing.
"My family - and indeed the community as a whole - view this as a clear indication that these cut-throat murderers are not being shunned by the republican movement."
The stance of the family, which is stridently at odds with a Sinn Féin or IRA view of the police, could spell political trouble for Sinn Féin.
Reports suggest further rallies in support of the family are planned and the belief remains strong in the area that there was IRA involvement in the murder.
Mr Joe O'Donnell, the local Sinn Féin councillor, will not be standing for re-election in May and his successor on the party ticket has yet to be selected.