North Belfast pipe bombs linked to loyalist feud

Two pipe bombs which exploded at separate bars in north Belfast last night have been linked to the loyalist feud.

The first device was thrown at the Cavehill Inn, on the Cavehill Road, damaging a window shutter shortly before 11 pm. A woman had to be treated for shock.

The bar is beside the predominantly loyalist Westland estate.

Later on a device was placed on the doorstep of a side entrance to the Ballysillan Arms bar. Shrapnel was carried across the road following the explosion of the device.

Army technical officers also carried out a controlled explosion on a pipe-bomb type device on the Shankill Road.

Meanwhile, police have recovered a blank-firing handgun with blank ammunition after coming across a suspicious vehicle in Manor Street shortly after midnight. A man was seen running away from the vehicle. Three shots were heard shortly after.

Elsewhere, a man in his mid-30s has been found in Mulberry Park, Dunmurry, at 11.30pm last night following what appears to have been a paramilitary-style shooting.

The victim was taken to hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds to both ankles.

(MB)