Loyalists 'fire shots at Catholics'

Reports of fresh gunfire in strife-torn north Belfast were today being investigated.

The trouble erupted as loyalists laid siege to Catholic houses in the flashpoint Ardoyne area, hurling bricks and other missiles.

Sinn Fein councillor Margaret McClenaghan claimed when nationalists came out to defend their area they came under attack.

She said: ‘‘As they were doing that someone came out and fired five shots at them.’’

Loyalist paramilitaries, accused of organising riots in a nearby district, were behind this latest incident, she claimed.

‘‘It’s obvious that the Ulster Defence Association has orchestrated it and decided it’s time for the people up here to get a wee touch of it,’’ she added.

Earlier today assistant chief constable Alan McQuillan said the UDA was orchestrating the riots and had ordered community leaders not to interfere as they went on the rampage.

A police spokesman confirmed that officers were investigating reports of shots being fired from the loyalist end of Ardoyne Road.

The incident came amid an upsurge in violence in the nearby Limestone Road area last night.

Thirteen police officers were injured, none seriously, as loyalist mobs went on the rampage.

Police came under gun and bomb attack during the worst night of rioting in the area this year.

Riot squad officers fired 15 plastic baton rounds. There were no reports of any injuries from those.

Loyalist politicians said the trouble last night was sparked by police heavy-handedness.