The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association, has claimed responsibility for planting a pipe bomb outside the Catholic Holy Cross school in north Belfast today.

The North’s new police service has struck a deal with the loyalist protestors outside the Catholic Holy Cross school in Belfast that should see the protest scaled down in the coming days.

Loyalist protesters from Upper Ardoyne in north Belfast are expected to resume their demonstration outside the Catholic Holy Cross school this morning.