This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7476543.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Man acquitted of McCartney murder | Man acquitted of McCartney murder |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A 51-year-old man has been found not guilty of murdering Belfast man Robert McCartney three years ago. | A 51-year-old man has been found not guilty of murdering Belfast man Robert McCartney three years ago. |
| Terence Davison was also cleared of two further counts of affray by Mr Justice John Gillen in the no-jury trial. | Terence Davison was also cleared of two further counts of affray by Mr Justice John Gillen in the no-jury trial. |
| Mr McCartney, 33, was beaten and stabbed outside Magennis's bar near Belfast city centre on 30 January 2005. His family led a high-profile campaign for justice. Speaking outside court, his sister, Catherine, said they were "very disappointed but not surprised". | |
| "We didn't have very high expectations. Given the evidence I believe that the judge's verdict was correct," she said. | "We didn't have very high expectations. Given the evidence I believe that the judge's verdict was correct," she said. |
| The case came to world prominence over claims of IRA involvement in the killing and his sisters and partner's campaigning. | The case came to world prominence over claims of IRA involvement in the killing and his sisters and partner's campaigning. |
| Ms McCartney said: "Robert's murder has become an embarrassment to the British and Irish governments. | Ms McCartney said: "Robert's murder has become an embarrassment to the British and Irish governments. |
| "There's still evidence out there" | "There's still evidence out there" |
| "The police have a wealth of information, a wealth of intelligence but can turn none of it into evidence because people refuse to come forward and stand in a court." | "The police have a wealth of information, a wealth of intelligence but can turn none of it into evidence because people refuse to come forward and stand in a court." |
| "Until those witnesses feel comfortable that Sinn Fein and the IRA are genuine, they will not come forward. | "Until those witnesses feel comfortable that Sinn Fein and the IRA are genuine, they will not come forward. |
| Prominence | Prominence |
| Mr Davison's co-accused James McCormick, 39, and Joseph Fitzpatrick, 47, were also found not guilty of affray. Mr Fitzpatrick was acquitted on a further charge of assault. | Mr Davison's co-accused James McCormick, 39, and Joseph Fitzpatrick, 47, were also found not guilty of affray. Mr Fitzpatrick was acquitted on a further charge of assault. |
| The judge said that he understood the family of Mr McCartney "will be frustrated and disappointed that whoever it was who cut this young man down in the prime of his life has or have not been brought to justice". | The judge said that he understood the family of Mr McCartney "will be frustrated and disappointed that whoever it was who cut this young man down in the prime of his life has or have not been brought to justice". |
| "However, the memory of Mr McCartney and the rule of law itself would be ill-served by this court failing to observe the high standards of criminal justice and the burden of proof which prevail in courts in Northern Ireland," he said. | "However, the memory of Mr McCartney and the rule of law itself would be ill-served by this court failing to observe the high standards of criminal justice and the burden of proof which prevail in courts in Northern Ireland," he said. |
| The judge warned the three acquitted men that they could yet be brought back to court if more evidence emerged. | The judge warned the three acquitted men that they could yet be brought back to court if more evidence emerged. |
| "I have no doubt that the investigation into this crime will continue and if new evidence emerges in connection with this murder no one, including for that matter even the accused in this trial, will be beyond the reach of potential prosecution," he added. | "I have no doubt that the investigation into this crime will continue and if new evidence emerges in connection with this murder no one, including for that matter even the accused in this trial, will be beyond the reach of potential prosecution," he added. |
| "If anything, the judgement reinforces the fact that the police service needs the support of the community if justice is to be served Kevin Dunwoody of the PSNI | |
| Much of the evidence against Mr Davison and his co-accused centred on that of a woman known only as Witness C during the trial. | Much of the evidence against Mr Davison and his co-accused centred on that of a woman known only as Witness C during the trial. |
| The judge said that she was "transparently honest" and courageous to give evidence but he said he found flaws in that evidence and was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that she had seen what she believed she had seen. | The judge said that she was "transparently honest" and courageous to give evidence but he said he found flaws in that evidence and was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that she had seen what she believed she had seen. |
| Detective Superintendent Kevin Dunwoody, who was senior investigating officer on the case, said he was sorry his team's investigation did not secure a conviction. | |
| "It certainly was not for a lack of effort on our part. Those who did not co-operate with us and those who worked to frustrate and thwart our investigation can answer for themselves," he said. | |
| "Police now need time to consider the judgement and reflect. We will consider our investigative options and we will do that promptly and professionally. | |
| "If anything, the judgement reinforces the fact that the police service needs the support of the community if justice is to be served." |