The RUC chief constable, Ronnie Flanagan, has said he believes the Ulster Defence Association is responsible for an orchestrated campaign of pipe-bomb attacks on Catholic homes across the North.

Renegade loyalists tonight vowed to step up their sectarian murder campaign after gunning down a Protestant teenager on the outskirts of north Belfast.

The SDLP has urged RUC chief constable Ronnie Flanagan and Northern Secretary John Reid to come out and say whether they believe the Ulster Defence Association is still on ceasefire.

The Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, has agreed to meet the loyalist UDA to try to end the violence in Belfast.

The Red Hand Defenders have claimed responsibility for the murder of a Protestant teenager in Glengormley, Co Antrim last night.

A senior SDLP delegation is to hold a meeting with the RUC Chief Constable, Ronnie Flanagan, this afternoon in relation to an upsurge in sectarian attacks.

Grieving relatives today revealed how a father's mouth-to-mouth bid to save his son's life failed.

It is believed the two victims of last night's drive-by shooting in Antrim were best friends.

The father of an 18-year-old drive-by shooting victim tried to revive his dying son after the attack.

An 18-year-old was shot dead in a drive by shooting outside a GAA clubhouse in Co Antrim last night.