The family of Robert McCartney is considering a civil action against his killers similar to the case against people accused of the Omagh bomb. The family announced their intention on the same day that Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams branded the killers of Mr McCartney as cowards who would not face up to their responsibilities.
"We are looking, if we cannot get those who killed my brother into court on criminal charges, at the possibility of a legal action similar to the Omagh families' civil action," she said.
"However our principal focus at the moment is on getting those responsible into court."
Robert McCartney, a 30-year-old father of two, was stabbed and beaten outside a Belfast city centre bar on January 30th and a friend, Brendan Devine was also seriously wounded following a row with republicans.
The murder has placed the Republican Movement under intense political pressure on both sides of the Atlantic, with the victim's five sisters and partner accusing IRA members of carrying out the attack and covering up what happened.
Speaking at a 1916 Easter Rising commemoration in Derry today, Mr Adams said Mr McCartney's killers had sullied the republican cause and ignored pleas to face up to what they had done.
He said: "What annoys me the most is not the criticism from the two governments, our political opponents, or those sections of the media who are clearly delighted to have a go at us.
"We are used to that and we can take it. What else do we expect? If those who fear the growth of Irish republicanism are given an opportunity to undermine it they will take that chance.
"What annoys me the most is that a small group of individuals are not prepared to face up to their responsibilities.
"Instead these cowardly individuals will allow an avalanche of propaganda aimed at criminalising republicanism. So let me be clear. I am not letting this issue go."
But Catherine McCartney tonight queried Sinn Fein's handling of her brother's case.
"It has emerged Sinn Fein members were among the 70 people in that bar," she said. "Why hasn't Sinn Fein expelled those members? Any other party would have. "
PA