Sinn Féin has blamed Loyalists for an attack on houses in the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area of North Belfast this afternoon. This incident follows last night's clashes between Loyalists and Republican groups. The RUC said that people travelling in number of cars attacked houses on the Crumlin Road with paint bombs and bricks. The windows of five houses were broken, and a number of injured people have been taken to hospital for treatment. The RUC removed a number of items for further examination.
Sinn Féin Councillor Margaret McClenaghan said that six car loads of Loyalists had arrived in the area opposite the Holy Cross chapel. Ms McClenaghan said that the occupants shouted UFF and anti-Catholic slogans. She blamed the ongoing attacks on the UDA and said that they were increasing sectarian tensions.
Pipebomb attacks almost nightly occurrence
The SDLP earlier called on the RUC to step up their efforts to prevent sectarian attacks in North Belfast. A party delegation is due to meet the RUC Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast later today. Loyalist pipebomb attacks have become an almost nightly occurrence.
The meeting comes following further clashes between Republicans and Loyalists in Ardoyne in North Belfast last night. Protestant residents said that they came under attack from gangs of men from Ardoyne. However, Republican sources say that Loyalists started the trouble.
In a separate incident, a man was injured in a paramilitary style shooting in the Markets area of the city last night. The victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound to his foot at Stanfield Row, just after 10pm.
