Fire blankets to protect Catholics from attacks

CATHOLIC families were given fire blankets yesterday in an unprecedented move by police attempting to thwart sectarian attacks by loyalist paramilitaries in the North.

The were distributed in the village of Ahoghill, near Ballymena, Co Antrim, where several Catholic houses, churches and pubs have been hit with pipe, petrol and paint bombs.

It is the first time police have take such action, but it confirmed fears that the violence involving elements within the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) could get worse.