The family of Joseph Rafferty, who the family say was shot dead by a former member of the IRA in Dublin last year, is to meet President George W Bush in the White House on St Patrick's Day, write Conor Lally and Mark Brennock.
It is the second year in succession that the families of people recently murdered by members or former members of the IRA have been invited to the White House on St Patrick's Day.
Last year the sisters of Belfast man Robert McCartney visited as part of their campaign to bring their brother's killers to justice. Mr Rafferty's sisters, Esther Uzell and Sandra Little, his brother-in-law Bart Little and Fianna Fáil councillor Gary Keegan visited the US earlier this month. They held meetings with prominent US politicians, including Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
While on the visit, the Bush administration indicated to the family that they would be welcome to visit the White House on St Patrick's Day, when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will once more present the traditional bowl of shamrock to President Bush.
Government sources last night confirmed that since the return of Ms Uzell and her family to Ireland on February 11th, the US administration had been in touch with the Taoiseach's office to ask if the Government had any objections to the family being invited to the White House. The Government has no objections.
Informed sources last night told The Irish Times that the US administration would soon contact Ms Uzell and her family to invite them formally to Washington.
Mr Rafferty (29), a father of one, was shot dead last April in the Ongar housing estate in west Dublin. He had become embroiled in a dispute with a family from the south inner city with strong links to a former member of the IRA.
Ms Uzell and her family believe Sinn Féin can put pressure on the man, who is the only suspect in the case, to give himself up. They believe their visit to the US has increased pressure on the party in that regard.
Sinn Féin leaders were not invited to the White House on St Patrick's Day last year. It is still not known whether they will be invited this year.