British attorney general Baroness Scotland is to meet with the family of murdered Belfast greengrocer Harry Holland to discuss her refusal to review the sentencing of those linked to the 2007 killing.
Mr Holland (65) was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver near his home in Norfolk Drive in September 2007.
His family had asked the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to approach attorney general Baroness Scotland to consider whether sentences handed down to those involved in the murder were unduly lenient.
Baroness Scotland wrote to the Holland family to inform them of her decision to turn down their request to review the sentences.
Last month, Stephen McKee (18) from Ballymurphy Road in west Belfast, was ordered to serve at least 12 years in jail for Mr Holland’s murder.
Two other teenagers were also sentenced in connection with the killing. Patrick Crossan (18) from Willowbank Gardens in west Belfast, was sentenced to four years for attempted affray and having an offensive weapon.
A 17-year-old girl was placed on a probation order for two years after she admitted charges of affray and common assault.
Speaking after a press conference with the Holland family this morning,Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said Baroness Scotland has agreed to meet with him and the Holland family to discuss the implications of the case.
“Her refusal to review the sentences in Harry’s case or refer them to the Court of Appeal and her failure to tackle the obvious and glaring shortcomings within the Public Prosecution Service is deeply disappointing for the family and for the west Belfast community.
“We are also very concerned that the British attorney general relied solely for her decision on information supplied to her by the DPP.
“Harry Holland’s brutal murder left his family deeply traumatised and evoked public revulsion throughout the community, especially where he lived with his family in west Belfast,” he concluded.