A sister of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney has said more witnesses to the killing had come forward.
Paula McCartney
Paula McCartney held talks on the killing in Belfast with US President George Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland Mitchell Reiss today.
"We are hopeful something is going to happen sooner, rather than later," she said.
Mr McCartney was stabbed in the throat and stomach on January 30th outside a Belfast city bar following a row with senior IRA men. The identities of the chief suspects are known but nobody has been charged.
The McCartneys have accused republicans of not doing enough to help bring their brother's killers to justice.
Afterwards Ms McCartney said she was reassured the US administration was fully behind the family's campaign.
But she also disclosed: "We believe the PSNI are a bit more confident than previously. Apparently the witnesses have been giving more information.
"We are just hoping that something will happen sooner rather than later.
"Judging by their (the police) language and tone they seem a lot more confident. Obviously I cannot be anymore specific than that. But that's where the ground lies now.
"More witnesses have come forward and obviously their statements are more helpful."
PA