A campaign of intimidation by IRA men against the family of murder victim Robert McCartney is intensifying, his sister claimed today.
After a close friend of the dead man was attacked, wives and children of republicans were among a crowd which picketed Mr McCartney's partner's home in an attempt to drive her and her children out.
Paula McCartney, whose brother was knifed outside a bar in Belfast last January, said today: "The situation has changed for the worse."
Police confirmed they are investigating a complaint after father-of-five Jeff Commander (34) one of Mr McCartney's closest friends, was left with serious head injuries after being beaten with iron bars and sewer rods.
Sinn Fein today denied any of their members were involved, but Ms McCartney said she was in no doubt that IRA men were among the gang which beat Mr Commander, even though it and the protest was not sanctioned by the leadership.
"Obviously these people are trying to beat people into silence," Ms McCartney said.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said he was very concerned by the reports of protests and pickets outside the home of members of the McCartney family. "Such intimidatory tactics are unacceptable and should not be repeated," he said.
"Officials from the Secretariat in Belfast are also actively working to ascertain the full facts as regards the injuries to relatives and acquaintances of the late Robert McCartney on Sunday night. We are maintaining contact with the family.
"The Government has consistently condemned all forms of violence and intimidation, and we do so again in this instance in the strongest terms." Mr Ahern said the McCartney family had already suffered greatly. "The PSNI is of course investigating the case and I would call on anyone with relevant information to pass it on to the police," he said.
"Only through co-operation with the police can violence and intimidation be eradicated from society in Northern Ireland."
One man charged with Mr McCartney's murder is expected to stand trial next year. A second is accused of attempting to murder a friend who was with him on the night they were attacked outside Magennis' Bar - a murder which seriously embarrassed the republican leadership, coming just weeks after the IRA was blamed for robbing the Northern Bank of £26.5 million.