A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.
A police spokesman in Belfast confirmed that detectives investigating the murder of 33-year-old Robert McCartney were questioning a suspect.
The arrest came as the IRA moved to distance itself from the gang who murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney.
In a statement released tonight, the IRA said it was not involved in what it described as a brutal killing.
"Those who were involved must take responsibility for their own actions which run contrary to republican ideals."
A senior IRA man is one of the chief suspects linked to the murder of Robert McCartney, who was battered and stabbed to death on January 30th after a bar fight broke out in front of around 70 people.
Even though the identities of the men who battered and knifed Mr McCartney
are widely known, no-one has been charged with the killing. Police have arrested seven people, but their investigation has been frustrated by a lack of evidence. His
family claim witnesses have been frightened into silence by the IRA.
As the furore over the attack deepened, the IRA spoke out against any attempt to intimidate witnesses.
"We wish to extend our sympathy to the McCartney family for the loss of Robert and for the grief that they are suffering," the IRA statement said. "The IRA was not involved in the brutal killing of Robert McCartney.
"It has been reported that people are being intimidated or prevented from assisting the McCartney family in their search for truth and justice.
"We wish to make it absolutely clear that no-one should hinder or impede the McCartney family in their search for justice."
The republican leadership has been under intense pressure to help identify the killers. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, whose party still refuses to recognise the PSNI, has resisted recommending co-operation with the force.
Instead he has urged anyone with information to alert a solicitor or the family.
The family of Mr McCartney today met the US consul general in Belfast. Mr McCartney's four sisters, speaking after meeting Mr Dean Pittman, said they said they had received assurances that the case would be raised with officials in Washington.
And Ms Paula McCartney insisted their tireless campaign to flush out those responsible would not be denied. "If these murderers aren't brought to justice, we will take it as high as it needs to go, if that means President Bush, so be it," she said.