Violence may fill North vacuum, say sources

STARK warnings of violence filling the political vacuum caused by the postponement of the NI elections were made by sources in both governments and loyalist paramilitary representatives last night.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will come to Dublin next Tuesday to smooth over differences with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and discuss the next steps to be taken. But the visit is largely seen as a cosmetic exercise to prove that the disagreement over the delay in the elections has not caused a rift between the governments.

Concerns of a resurgence in sectarian violence were underlined by figures showing there were have been 86 paramilitary attacks already this year, with almost two thirds blamed on loyalists. Figures from the Police Service of Northern Ireland show casualties were caused by 54 shootings and 34 assaults up to the end of April.