Pipe bomb defused in Belfast

A pipe bomb was defused outside the gates of Belfast Castle last night.

Army explosives experts made the device safe outside the building in the north of the city, where a wedding reception and another small event were being held.

The RUC are examining several other items taken from the scene.

Meanwhile, two young men were taken to hospital with bullet wounds after a suspected punishment beating in Belfast.

The victims, aged 23 and 24, were each shot in the leg at a quarry in Newtownabbey.