The Village February 5, 2004 No punishment for IRA knife killers by Suzanne Breen IRA members were involved in the murder of a man outside Magenniss  bar in Belfast city-centre bar last week. Robert McCartney (33) was fatally stabbed outside the May Street  premises following an argument inside with local Provisionals. The  murder was not an officially sanctioned operation, though republican  sources said those involved wouldn't be disciplined. They include the operations officer of the IRA's General  Headquarters staff who is the former Belfast Brigade OC. The IRA men from the Market and Short Strand area of Belfast were  drinking in the bar after returning from the Bloody Sunday march in  Derry. They became involved in an argument with Mr McCartney and a friend  who was also stabbed in the incident. The IRA men sent round to the  Market for reinforcements and a gun but a knife was secured instead. Four men who were arrested in connection with the murder have since  been released. Local sources claimed the IRA ordered customers in the  bar who witnessed the fight to say nothing to police. It is also understood the IRA seized the video footage from inside  the pub. CCTV is installed outside the court across the road but it is  unclear how much these cameras picked up. SDLP councillor for the area, Pat McCarthy, said: "The Provos have  to get off people's backs in the Market. It is a reign of terror. They  are bringing republicanism into disrepute."