Man freed in IRA-linked murder case

Dublin: A Northern Ireland man was acquitted on Friday of murdering a Catholic civilian outside a Belfast pub, a killing that drew international attention to the IRA's practice of intimidating witnesses and destroying evidence.

Robert McCartney, a 33-year-old forklift operator, was fatally stabbed and beaten after he and two drinking buddies allegedly argued with a senior IRA figure inside a crowded Belfast pub in January 2005.

The victim's sisters and fiancee accused IRA members and supporters of swabbing up evidence, burning the attackers' clothes and confiscating the pub's surveillance camera tapes.

When no witnesses inside the pub came forward, the McCartneys took their campaign for justice to London, Brussels and Washington and even received backing from President George W. Bush.