The family of the murdered Belfast man, Robert McCartney, has welcomed a statement issued by the IRA last night.
The McCartneys said the statement removed obstacles to witnesses who were afraid to come forward with vital information and evidence.
The fatal stabbing of the 33-year-old father-of-two outside a city centre bar a fortnight ago caused outrage in the nationalist community, particularly in the Short Strand area where he lived.
Large crowds attended a vigil of protest and also his funeral, where the parish priest said those responsible for the killing should be brought to justice.
His sisters say the men who killed him were leading republicans and that witnesses have been intimated. They have asked Sinn Féin and the IRA to help them get the killers convicted.
Last night the IRA said the brutal killing ran contrary to republican ideals and that the family should be helped.
The McCartneys welcomed the statement but stressed they wanted people to co-operate with the police investigation.
A man arrested yesterday and questioned in connection with the killing has been released without charge.
Meanwhile the pressure continues from the McCartney family to get justice by people going to the police, giving evidence and seeing through the process of trial and conviction.
