The former Ulster Volunteer Force Commander, Gusty Spence, has appealed to Loyalist paramilitary groups to bring about an immediate halt to the escalating violence in the North. Mr Spence was among several householders, whose homes were attacked in West Belfast overnight. Ten people were injured and up to 14 houses were either damaged or set on fire. The attacks are part of an ongoing feud between rival UVF and UDA factions in the city.
Mr Spence, who announced the Loyalist ceasefire in 1994, said that the paramilitaries in Northern Ireland were beginning to open up an abyss before them. He appealed to both sides, particularly the UDA, to call an immediate halt to the violence and said that cool heads were now needed to prevent future loss of life. Meanwhile the Presbyterian minister the Reverend Roy Magee, who helped broker the Loyalist ceasefires six years ago, has called on both sides to meet in a bid to defuse the tension. The Northern Secretary, Peter Mandelson, said that the situation remains potentially dangerous and the violence of the past 48 hours risks sparking further violence. He called on all those with influence in the community to bring an end to the attacks.
The violence began yesterday afternoon when two men and a woman were wounded in a gun attack outside the Rex bar in the Shankill Road area. The pub was attacked again just before 10pm. Initial reports suggested that three people were shot in the arms and legs.
