Blast bomb soldier remains critically ill

An 18-year-old soldier remained critically ill in hospital today after a blast bomb attack in north Belfast.

The soldier underwent emergency surgery on his lower body yesterday after he was wounded when troops at a checkpoint close to the Holy Cross Primary School dispute came under attack from crowds hurling petrol bombs and other missiles on Friday night.

Following the attack, blamed by the RUC and the army on the loyalist Ulster Defence Association, Protestants and Catholics in the Ardoyne area clashed again last night.

Up to 200 people were involved on either side, with police moving in to break up groups hurling stones.

There was also reports of shots being fired from the nationalist side. No injuries were reported.

The injured soldier, from Wales, was rushed to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital where a spokeswoman confirmed he remained in a critical condition.

His commanding officer, Lt Col Mark Blagbrough, called Friday’s attack ‘‘a co-ordinated, highly planned and deliberate attempt to kill a soldier’’.

RUC Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan had no doubt that the UDA carried out the attack.

‘‘British soldiers attempting to protect both sections of the community were being attacked by so-called loyalists, some even wearing poppies.

‘‘It’s absolutely disgusting. People up there have a death wish on their community.’’

Northern Ireland Office junior minister Des Browne denounced those behind the attack as ‘‘gangsters and terrorists’’.

‘‘It is time genuine loyalists cast them aside and help put them where they really belong - in prison,’’ he said.

Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers said those behind the attacks were tarnishing the reputation of their community.

‘‘They are bringing the good name of the Protestant religion into disrepute,’’ he said.