Daily Ireland, March 15, 2005
PSNI accused of playing politics
The PSNI remained silent yesterday on claims that two key witnesses to the
events leading up to the murder of east Belfast man Robert McCartney had
been blocked from making statements.
Both men were in Magennis’s Bar on the night that Mr McCartney was stabbed
to death.
The Short Strand father of two died in hospital after a row had erupted in
the popular city centre bar and spilled onto the street on January 30.
It is understood that the PSNI has taken detailed statements from three men
who had been in the bar on that night.
One of the statements was recorded. It identifies by name some of the
individuals allegedly involved in the events leading up to Mr McCartney’s
death.
At least one other written statement names individuals alleged to be
involved in a physical confrontation in the bar.
In the six weeks since Mr McCartney was killed, not one of the individuals
named in the statements has been charged in connection with his murder.
It is believed that one of the men who has already given a detailed
statement to the PSNI approached police again yesterday in a bid to make a
signed eyewitness statement.
However, it is understood the man was told that the senior detective in
charge of the murder investigation was not available. The man was then sent
away.
A signed witness statement would empower the PSNI to make immediate arrests
and bring charges.
Daily Ireland has learned that the PSNI yesterday rejected another offer,
this time from a solicitor representing a second man who had witnessed
events in Magennis’s Bar on January 30. The man was offering to make himself
available for interview.
The Sinn Féin leadership has accused the PSNI of manipulating and exploiting
the family’s campaign for justice.
Martin McGuinness accused the PSNI of “tailoring their investigation” into
Mr McCartney’s murder in a bid to cause maximum damage to Sinn Féin.
“Today’s revelations that the PSNI turned away a key witness and a key
suspect adds further weight to this suspicion,” said Mr McGuinness.
“In such a high-profile murder investigation, it beggars belief that the
PSNI would reject the offer of an eyewitness statement from a key witness
and the opportunity to interview a key suspect who they claim to have been
searching for. But this is what has happened today.
“It is also clear that eyewitness testimony which identifies some of those
involved in the attack on Robert McCartney has been ignored and that a
decision has been made not to arrest and charge those identified by the
eyewitness.
“The normal police practice of quickly putting suspects into an identity
parade has not happened, despite the fact that the PSNI know who was
involved and has eyewitness evidence about this.
“This underlines the fact that politics rather than justice is driving the
PSNI investigation. All those who have been vocal in support of the
McCartneys need to put some searching questions to the PSNI.”
The revelations came after it had emerged that a third member of Sinn Féin
had been in Magennis’s Bar on the night that Mr McCartney was stabbed to
death in a nearby alleyway.
Seán Hayes, a former Belfast City councillor and assembly election
candidate, last night confirmed that he had been in Magennis’s Bar on
January 30.
Earlier this week, it emerged that former Mid-Ulster assembly election
candidate Cora Groogan and south Belfast local government candidate Deirdre
Hargey had also been in the bar on the night of the murder.
Despite twice providing the PSNI with his personal details within 24 hours
of Mr McCartney’s murder, Mr Hayes said he was still waiting for the PSNI to
contact his solicitor in relation to the incident.
“I was in the bar the night Robert McCartney died,” said Mr Hayes.
“After the whole incident was over, the PSNI came in and took everyone’s
names.
“They didn’t ask anyone to leave the bar or attempt to turn it into a scene
of a crime.
“It was all very laid-back and casual. They asked us to leave when we had
finished our drinks.
“The following day, they turned up at my work. They were going door to door
through the Markets district. Again, I gave them my details and made it
clear that I would not speak to them directly as I don’t trust them.
“I told them, if they wanted to talk to me about the incident, they would
have to do it through my solicitor.”
However, Mr Hayes said that, despite this, the PSNI had made no effort to
contact him for details relating to the incident.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said it was not prepared to discuss any issues
concerning witnesses or suspects in relation to the McCartney case.
The spokesperson added that investigating officers would have since
contacted anyone whose details had been taken on the night of the murder.
