It was a cruel winter’s day as Northern Ireland’s voters went to the polls to elect their next Assembly.

Loyalists were today blamed for the second day running for pipe bombs which exploded in a flashpoint area of north Belfast.

Five youths were tonight arrested after an old people’s home was attacked during sectarian riots in Northern Ireland.

Two people are being treated for minor injuries after a blast bomb was thrown during rioting in North Belfast this afternoon.

Police in Northern Ireland were today investigating reports of gunfire and a blast bomb being used during fresh sectarian street disturbances along a Belfast peaceline.