P6_TA(2005)0169

Justice for the McCartney Family

European Parliament resolution on violence and criminality by the self-styled "Irish Republican Army" (IRA) in Northern Ireland, in particular the murder of Robert McCartney

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 30 January 2005 a citizen of Belfast, Robert McCartney, was brutally murdered by members of the self-styled "Irish Republican Army" (IRA), who attempted to cover up the crime and ordered all witnesses to be silent about the involvement of IRA members,

B. whereas Robert McCartney's sisters, Catherine McCartney, Paula Arnold, Gemma McMahon, Claire McCartney and Donna Mary McCartney, and his partner, Bridgeen Karen Hagans, refused to accept the code of silence and have bravely and persistently challenged the IRA by demanding justice for the murder of Robert McCartney,

C. whereas in the region of seventy witnesses are believed to have been present in the area of Magennis's Bar immediately before and after the fight that led to the death of Robert McCartney,

D. whereas, when outcry over the murder increased, the IRA and Sinn Féin, the political wing of the IRA, suspended or expelled some members,

E. whereas the leadership of Sinn Féin has called for justice, but has not called on those responsible for the murder or any of those who witnessed the murder to cooperate fully and directly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland,

F. whereas on 8 March 2005 the IRA issued an outrageous statement, in which it said it "was willing to shoot the killers of Robert McCartney",

G. whereas those involved in the ongoing efforts to secure justice for Robert McCartney have been subject to a recent whispering campaign seeking to intimidate and to undermine the credibility of their case,

H. whereas valuable work has been done by the EU Peace Fund in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland,

I. whereas peace and violence cannot coexist in Northern Ireland,

1. Condemns violence and criminality by the self-styled "Irish Republican Army" (IRA) in Northern Ireland, in particular the murder of Robert McCartney;

2. Stresses in the strongest possible terms that the sisters and partner of Robert McCartney deserve the fullest support in their pursuit of justice;

3. Calls on the leadership of Sinn Féin to insist that those responsible for the murder and witnesses to the murder cooperate directly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and be free from the threat of reprisals from the IRA;

4. Deplores the insidious whispering campaign aimed at intimidating and discrediting the sisters and fiancée of Robert McCartney in their fight for justice;

5. Calls on the Council and the Commission to provide all appropriate assistance to law enforcement authorities in Northern Ireland in order to ensure that the murderers of Robert McCartney are brought to justice;

6. Proposes that, if the Police Service of Northern Ireland is unable to bring a prosecution in relation to the murder of Robert McCartney, the European Union grant a financial contribution, in conformity with the Financial Regulation, toward the cost of legal fees incurred by the McCartney family in their quest for justice by way of civil proceedings;

7. Asks in this connection that the Commission make such a contribution from the budget line in the general budget of the EU intended for aid for the victims of terrorism;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the accession and candidate countries, and the Council of Europe.

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