Rioting in north Belfast pinned on Loyalists

Loyalists have again been blamed for the latest violence and pipe bomb explosions in north Belfast.

Following trouble earlier in the day during which a police officer was injured two pipe bombs exploded at Hallidays Road shortly after 11pm on Tuesday October 16.

Sinn Féin councillor for the area Gerard Brophy has accused loyalists in the Tiger's Bay district of throwing pipe bombs and claimed it was a miracle no one had been killed in the almost nightly rioting in the area.

He said: “Once again the UDA from Tiger’s Bay have attacked the nationalist community on Duncairn Gardens. The night before it was Newington and last night it was the New Lodge. Despite an ongoing campaign of serious attacks to date no body has been arrested or charged for any of these offences. It is time for unionist politicians and the British government to act and end this loyalist pipe bomb campaign.”

Street fighting among rival groups, each of around 100 people, broke out at around 8.45 pm in the Serpentine and Whitewell area of the city. Stones and missile were thrown and a brick injured one RUC officer. There were no further injuries reported.

Also in Belfast, an 18-year-old man was shot in the ankles on Tuesday night while walking near his home. He was bundled into a car and taken to Mica Drive were he was then shot. (AMcE)