USA: IRISH PM BERTIE AHERN MEETS WITH SISTERS AND PARTNER OF MURDERED NORTHERN IRISHMAN ROBERT Mc CARTNEY IN WASHINGTON
Record ID:
584885
USA: IRISH PM BERTIE AHERN MEETS WITH SISTERS AND PARTNER OF MURDERED NORTHERN IRISHMAN ROBERT Mc CARTNEY IN WASHINGTON
- Title: USA: IRISH PM BERTIE AHERN MEETS WITH SISTERS AND PARTNER OF MURDERED NORTHERN IRISHMAN ROBERT Mc CARTNEY IN WASHINGTON
- Date: 16th March 2004
- Summary: (BN04) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 16, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. WS: EXTERIOR OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM 0.04 2. TILT: WOMAN PLAYING THE BAGPIPES 0.10 (NIGHTSHOTS) 3. GUESTS ARRIVING IN CARS 0.17 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAULA MCCARTNEY SAYING: "The day has been absolutely overwhelming, the hospitality that we have received and the support for Robert's cause has been completely phenomenal. ... Not in real terms, we're not pleased because of the fact that there is still no one in jail. So in real terms no. ... We haven't anything personal against Gerry Adams, I mean we haven't got a problem with Gerry at all. So I don't know what we'll be saying until we actually meet him." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CATHERINE McCARTNEY SAYING: "We have said before that we will only accept when all that can be done, has been done when Robert's murderer and their accomplices are in court. Reporter question..." The senators have a very clear understanding of what happened to Robert and there is no ambiguity at all from their point of view about the fact that the killer had to be brought to justice." 1.56 5. PAN: INTERIOR OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM 2.06 6. IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN POSING WITH THE MCCARTNEY FAMILY 2.38 7. SINN FIEN LEADER GERRY ADAMS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS 2.43 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERRY ADAMS SAYING: "I'm here, I'm engaged in the business of the peace process. I've been here since Saturday, I've done a city a day and all of the meetings have been bigger than all of the previous meetings because Irish America is galvanized by what they see is a tabloid version of events back home. So I support the McCartney family, I'm not jealous of the McCartney family. I want to see them getting the closure which they deserve." 3.12 9. WIDE OF DINNER 3.16 10. BERTIE AHERN WALKING TO PODIUM 3.22 11. PAN OF ROOM 3.29 12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BERTIE AHERN, SAYING: "Despite the problems we are certainly going through a difficult phase, it's not the first time, full implementation of the agreement remains the only credible roadmap to our future. We're a pragmatic people ladies and gentlemen, we always knew that the implementation of the agreement could present us with challenges and so it has proven to be." 3.52 13. WIDE OF DINNER 3.56 14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AHERN SAYING: "In more recent past, we have had another very brutal killing and tonight I have, as I have done in the past, had an opportunity to meet the sisters of Robert McCartney and his partner Bridgeen, and I do want to say here to this great audience in Washington that rarely have I met braver people if ever, I don't think I have, I'd particularly like you tonight to welcome them. Applause. I'd particularly like to ladies and gentlemen to welcome the girls because they have campaigned for their brother's killers to be brought to justice. They are courageous, they are determined and I know they have all of our full support for their admirable efforts on their behalf." 4.52 15. WIDE OF DINNER 4.56 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 31st March 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA3H75W9LU4U00XY4LQ1Z9S1MKO
- Story Text: Bertie Ahern meets with McCartney sisters who are in
Washington to gain backing of U.S. politicians.
The sisters of Robert McCartney and his partner
Bridgeen Hagans attended the American Ireland Fund Gala in
Washington on Wednesday evening (March 16) culminating a
day that was spent visiting prominent politicians as part
of their campaign to bring the killers of their loved-one
to justice.
Entering the National Building Museum, the site of the
American Ireland Fund Dinner, Paula McCartney said " The
day has been absolutely overwhelming, the hospitality that
we have received and the support for Robert's cause has
been completely phenomenal." Her sister Catherine told
reporters "We will only accept when all that can be done,
has been done when Robert's murderer and their accomplices
are in court."
During the dinner, Irish Prime minister Bertie Ahern
recognized the McCartney family saying "rarely have I met
braver people if ever," adding they were courageous and
determined.
Earlier Wednesday, lawmakers embraced the family of
slain Belfast man Robert McCartney and called on Sinn Fein
leader Gerry Adams to disband the Irish Republican Army,
which is implicated in the killing.
Robert McCartney was stabbed to death in January
outside a bar by a gang that included known IRA members.
Sinn Fein, the political ally of the IRA,
is accused of attempting to cover-up the McCartney killing.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told reporters late on
Wednesday "I want to see them getting the closure in which
they deserve."
McCartney's family is scheduled to meet with President
George W. Bush on Thursday, but the White House broke with
a tradition by not inviting Adams to its annual St.
Patrick's Day reception.
The United States has 44 million people with Irish roots
and has been an important source of funding for Sinn Fein.
The growing backlash against Sinn Fin showed no sign of
abating as leading politicians stepped up to support the
McCartney family.
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