Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, has warned that an expulsion process would begin against suspended Sinn Féin members if they did not make 'full and truthful' statements on Robert McCartney.
Mr Adams agreed there is unease in his party over his decision to pass information to the Police Ombudsman in connection with Robert Mc Cartney's death.
But said there had been no other way to deal with the issue.
He said he had been duty bound to suspend without prejudice Sinn Féin members - who may be totally innocent - named by the family.
Sinn Féin defers decision on coalition
The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Dublin has concluded, after debating the future of policing in the North, and possible involvement in a coalition government in the Republic.
Delegates voted to defer any decision on either issue.
Sinn Féin vice-President, Pat Doherty, said the best message the party could send its detractors was at the polls in the Meath by-election on Friday, and in local and Westminster elections in the North.
And he challenged Justice Minister Michael McDowell to contest his own West Tyrone Westminster seat if he really wanted to take on Republicans.
The meeting heard a message from prisoners in Castlereagh supporting the leadership, and looking for the release of the killers of garda Jerry McCabe.
It heard too from Christine McCauley, whose partner Martin is one of three Irishmen on the run after being convicted by a Colombian court.
She said their families had not heard from the men in nine months.
The leadership urged delegates not to tie their hands on policing structures in the North.
It was also agreed to keep the party's coalition options open after the next general election in the Republic.
Delegates rejected a motion calling on the party not to enter coalition with any other party.
The party's leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, appealed to delegates not to limit their options but to 'keep them all guessing'.
He said any decision to enter coalition would be made by a special delegate conference.
Mitchell McLaughlin earlier accused the Irish and British governments of joining with the party's political opponents in a concerted effort to weaken its negotiating hand.
Mr McLoughlin told delegates at the Ard Fheis that they must shift their focus from negotiations to upcoming elections, in Meath, and in the North.
He predicted that these would give the party an increased mandate which would allow them to continue to negotiate, campaign and argue for their policies.
