Alliance supports McCartney's search for justice

12.00.00am GMT Mon 28th Feb 2005

East Belfast Alliance MLA Naomi Long has expressed her continuing support for the campaign by the family of Short Strand murder victim, Robert McCartney, after attending a rally in the Short Strand this afternoon.

As Assembly Member for the area, she called for justice for the McCartney family and urged anyone with information to follow the family's wishes and pass it on to the Police.

Cllr. Long said, "I felt that it was important for me and my party colleagues to reaffirm our support for the family by attending today's rally.

"Having attended a previous vigil and Robert's funeral, I have seen at first hand how much this family is suffering and I would again call for those with information to assist the family's quest for justice by co-operating fully with the Police investigation.

"This was a brutal murder, and the family have made it clear publicly that they want people with information to come forward to help the investigation, so that the people who committed this murder can be brought to justice. Any family would want the same thing.

"The family have taken a courageous stand against intimidation and it is time that SF stopped equivocating on this issue and backed the calls of the family. How Sinn Fein feel about policing is irrelevant, the only thing which matters is how this bereaved family feel about their murdered son, brother, partner and father.

"I would encourage people to pass on any information they might have to the police to help this investigation and bring the individuals responsible to justice."