A threat to seriously injure the sisters of murdered Belfast man Robert
McCartney, which was made last week on a website run by former Sinn Féin
publicity director, Danny Morrison, is to be investigated by the Police
Service of Northern Ireland.
The McCartneys said they were "shocked and very concerned" about the threat
which they believe came from someone within the Short Strand.
The message said: "The McCartneys better shut the hell up with their lies
unless they want seriously injured."
It claimed the IRA would soon no longer be able to "protect" the family. It
was highly critical of the republican leadership for "booting **** and the
others out of the Ra" and telling people to pass on information to the
police.
It claimed Short Strand residents were "sick" of the McCartneys. Within the
past month, police have twice warned the family of threats to their safety
from both republican and criminal elements.
Catherine McCartney told the Sunday Tribune: "We are appalled by the level
of aggression and abuse in this latest threat. We have reported it to the
police and hope they can trace the person who made it."
While the family in no way held Morrison responsible for the message, which
was subsequently removed from his website, they hoped the former Sinn Féin
representative and his website administrators would come forward with any
information they had on the identity of the poster.
McCartney also said administrators should implement rigorous vetting
procedures to ensure threats weren't posted on their websites.
The user posted under the name of "Only I MaTTer". Their only previous post
claimed there was no evidence of IRA involvement in the Northern Bank
robbery.
All users posting on Morrison's website must give a working e-mail address.
If the person used their real e-mail address, they could easily be traced.
Even if they didn't, it could also be possible to establish their identity
through their internet service provider.
McCartney said she was particularly concerned because the person seemed to
know the sisters, and mentioned their attending an anti-war rally in Belfast
over two years ago.
Referring to the family's finances, the person asked: "How do they afford
extra thick glass, alarms and all of the other apparatus used to 'protect'
their homes from the IRA?"
The message ends: "You wanna argue with me? Please do. I look forward to
beating the crap out of you in this 'verbal' exchange . . . I'll be back."
The McCartneys were last night (Saturday) addressed the Labour Party conference in
Tralee. Next month, they will meet London Mayor, Ken Livingstone.
