Ivan
Posted on 03/14/2005 2:18:44 PM PST by MadIvan
Sinn Fein chief Martin McGuinness has warned the family of IRA murder victim Robert McCartney to back off.
With one of the sisters threatening an electoral challenge to the party, the Mid Ulster MP claimed the campaign to bring the killers to justice could be left open to political manipulation.
They could risk popular support, he told the family.
Clearly rattled by the intensity of the crisis engulfing Sinn Fein, Mr McGuinness said: "The McCartneys need to be very careful.
"To step over that line, which is a very important line, into the world of party political politics, can do a huge disservice to their campaign.
"In fact, it can dismay and disillusion an awful lot of people, tens of thousands of people who support them in their just demands."
Mr McCartney's five sisters and fiancee are travelling to Washington as part of their fight to get the killers into court.
Meetings have been lined up with President George Bush and senators Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.
Gerry Adams is visiting the US this week, but Bush and Kennedy have both declined to meet him in the wake of the murder.
The family believe witnesses to the January 30 murder outside a Belfast city centre pub have been frightened into silence.
Although the IRA has expelled three volunteers and Sinn Fein suspended seven members, no one has been charged over the killing.
With two of the republican party's election candidates in Magennis's Bar on the night a gang attacked Mr McCartney, its leadership are under intense pressure.
But republican sources claimed one of the chief suspects is now prepared to make a full statement to detectives.
His solicitor has contacted police in a bid to have him questioned about the murder, it was claimed.
Ivan
Outrage ping
Bump.
There will be no coddling of these friends of the Kennedy's.
President Bush should make it clear that he won't tolerate an attack on the McCartney sisters, as should the Prime Minister, and Taoseach Ahern.
I'm so angry that they even dared to threaten them - how dare they?!?
Regards, Ivan
I think Clintoon emboldened him....too much ego for him to ever consider peaceful solutions......
Chief suspect's statement: I did it all on my own and the IRA didn't order me to do it. As far as I know there is no such thing as the IRA. Do I get to keep my kneecaps?
One of Robert Kennedy's daughters is married to an IRA ex con.
And Australia is being warned not to cancel Adam's fundraising visit to tht country.
"Clearly rattled by the intensity of the crisis engulfing Sinn Fein, Mr McGuinness said: "The McCartneys need to be very careful."
McGuinness makes Bashar Assad seem diplomatic by comparison.
Regards, Ivan
McGuinness is the one who needs to be careful - we know how brutally Mr. McCartney was killed, and everything that has followed since has shown up the brutal character of the IRA. The most diplomatic thing they could have done is shut up - every time they open their mouths they dig themselves into a deeper hole.
Regards, Ivan
And that whale of Kennedy decided that he would not meet with Adams, how brave of him now that it's politically inconvenient.
Isn't "Sinn Fein" Irish for "Needs Killing?"
Translation: If the lasses keep stirrin' the pot on this latest IRA outrage, we'll be forced to kneecap 'em or administer a Belfast rosary.
They are getting desperate now, they know the game is up. The McCartney family are the tip of the iceberg, they have caused permanent damage to the Provisional movement.
I was drinking in Magennis's today, strange atmosphere I have to say.
These ongoing hostilities hurt my Irish heart.
You're way behind the times.
"Do I avoid the [Irish] six-pack?"
That's elbows, knees, and ankles.
fyi
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