The family of Robert McCartney has welcomed an IRA statement that has called for all obstacles in the search for his killers to be removed.
In a statement yesterday, the dead man's sisters said: "The statement made by the IRA strongly supports the family's position with regard to justice and truth prevailing.
"We appeal to anyone who can help us as a family to bring an end to this nightmare and in doing so set us free to begin our grieving for Robert." They added: "We as a family would appreciate anyone going to the police. People need to go to the police. That's how we are going to get justice."
Their comments, which are sharply at odds with the Sinn Féin position on policing, were made a short time before the latest police suspect was released after his arrest and questioning on Wednesday evening. Eight people, including a senior IRA figure, have now been questioned by the PSNI.
The 33-year-old father of two from Short Strand died after being stabbed outside a city-centre pub on January 30th.
The wider McCartney family has been deeply critical of republicans since the murder. They believe witnesses have been intimidated to prevent them coming forward with information. The Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, said yesterday he was not familiar with the IRA statement issued by P. O'Neill.
The statement issued on Wednesday night 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 truth and justice. Anyone who can help the family in this should do so.
"Those who were involved must take responsibility for their own actions which run contrary to republican ideals."
Speaking in Spain yesterday, where he is on a book promotion tour, Mr Adams said: "I have already made it clear that people who have information on this killing should give it to reputable bodies."
Asked if "reputable bodies" would include the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Mr Adams replied: "I use that term advisedly. Some people, some citizens, may think that the PSNI is a reputable body, and that's their choice. I happen to be of a different opinion.
"My position on the Robert McCartney killing is to help the family. So if people have reservations about the PSNI - and the majority of nationalists have reservations about the PSNI - then that should not be a block to them helping the McCartney family. If they have information, they should find some way: give it to the family itself, give it to local clergy people, give it to solicitors, and so on."
In Belfast the Sinn Féin policing spokesman, Mr Gerry Kelly, said he wanted justice for the McCartney family. This meant he wanted the murderers to be tried, convicted and jailed.
Asked what the effect on Sinn Féin would be if the murderer or murderers turned out to be IRA members, Mr Kelly said: "I don't care. It was absolutely wrong. It was a brutal slaying, and it should not have happened."
Yesterday Mr Adams also said remarks he made about the IRA and the robbery at the Northern Bank during a radio interview in Madrid this week were subject to "malicious" misrepresentation.
As a press conference in Barcelona he said "for the umpteenth time" that he believed the IRA denial of involvement in the €38 million bank raid.
He had been reported as saying: "An opinion has been given that the IRA was involved and the IRA has said it was not and I believe them, but maybe I'm wrong."