The IRA has said in a statement it was 'prepared to shoot' the men blamed for the murder of Robert McCartney but his family said they did not want physical action taken against those involved.
The organisation has issued a statement this evening which says the 'offer' was made to Mr McCartney's family following its own investigation into the murder. It has already admitted some of its members were involved Mr McCartney's killing following a brawl in a Belfast bar.
Father-of-two Mr McCartney (33), died after he and a friend were attacked with a knife which was later destroyed along with CCTV evidence, according to a new IRA statement.
They provisionals claimed they had a five-and-a-half hour meeting with the McCartney family during which representatives gave a detailed account of their investigation into the murder.
The statement said: "The IRA representative detailed the outcome of the internal disciplinary proceedings thus far and stated in clear terms that the IRA was prepared to shoot people directly involved in the killing of Robert McCartney."
But the family raised concerns with the IRA representatives.
The statement added: "The family made it clear that they did not want physical action taken against those involved. They stated that they wanted those individuals to give full account of their actions in court."
Nobody has yet been charged with the January 30 murder, but three IRA men, alleged by the organisation to have been involved have been expelled.
Seven members of Sinn Fein have been suspended, amid demands by the party president Gerry Adams that all those inside and outside Magennis's bar at the time of the attack should come forward and make statements.
Sisters of Mr McCartney are due to travel to Washington next week for talks with the Bush administration as part of their sustained campaign to help bring the killers to justice.