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Brendan Devine, the sole survivor of a brutal knife attack that claimed the life of his close friend Robert McCartney in 2005, has shared his personal account publicly for the first time through a BBC documentary series. The attack, which involved members of the Provisional IRA, left Devine with a severe throat slash and a serious stab wound to his abdomen. McCartney did not survive the assault, which took place near Market Street in Belfast after the two men left Magennis’s bar.
The aftermath of McCartney’s murder triggered a resolute campaign led by his sisters and fiancée, who sought justice for his killing. Their efforts gained significant international attention and support from high-profile figures such as former US President George W. Bush and the European Parliament. Despite this backing, the case remains unsolved, with no one held accountable. In the documentary, Devine opens up about his feelings of guilt, not over the attack itself but concerning his own role in its escalation and the ongoing failure to bring the perpetrators to justice.
On that night, an argument about an alleged rude gesture inside Magennis’s bar turned violent, resulting in Devine being attacked with bottles and then subjected to a severe throat cutting. Even though the pub was crowded, with around 70 people present, no witnesses have stepped forward to identify those involved. A former detective who worked on the investigation describes McCartney as “as innocent as they come.” Devine himself admits that his outspoken behavior near the bar, specifically naming IRA leader Gerard “Jock” Davison, may have worsened the situation and led to the violent attack.
The investigation faced significant obstacles, including the destruction of CCTV footage and the apparent loss of forensic evidence after the pub was cleaned with bleach. Although the IRA initially denied involvement, they later acknowledged that three of their members, including two senior figures, were implicated and were subsequently expelled. The murder took place during a sensitive period for Northern Ireland’s peace process, with the IRA amidst a ceasefire but accused of other illegal activities. Devine reveals the immense pressure and intimidation he endured following the incident, including death threats and warnings from republicans not to speak out. He also recounts being interrogated by the IRA as they conducted their own inquiry alongside the police. Despite later testifying in a 2008 trial against three suspects, all were acquitted, leaving justice elusive for McCartney’s family and friends
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