Sectarian violence rages after blast

Sectarian street violence erupted on the streets of north Belfast as rival gangs clashed in a flashpoint area.

Police were called to North Queen Street and Duncairn Gardens last night to keep 150-strong loyalist and nationalist gangs apart after a blast bomb exploded in a road junction.

Although a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman claimed there were no injuries, Sinn Fein councillor Gerard Brophy claimed a loyalist was hurt by the device thrown from his side.

‘‘We have substantial video evidence showing loyalists attacking nationalists and one person being injured on their side by their own bomb,’’ he alleged.

Police said their officers came under attack from stones, bottles and other missiles as they dispersed both mobs.

Republicans reported further blast bomb attacks including one on a nationalist home in Newington Avenue at the house of a family on holiday.

An oil tanker at the back of the house was reported to be leaking, with Sinn Fein claiming the family’s home was in danger.

They also alleged loyalists threw a device in Parkside on a stretch of ground used by children.

‘‘We have been lucky so far that no one has been injured,’’ Mr Brophy said, claiming the Ulster Defence Association was behind the attacks.

‘‘But this fits a pattern of disturbances in this area over the past few nights. I have no doubts about who is orchestrating this violence. Claims that the UDA are trying to maintain a ceasefire are a sick joke.’’

Yesterday morning there were clashes in North Queen Street as rival gangs confronted each other.

Sinn Fein claimed loyalists sparked the trouble by trying to erect British and Israeli flags in the flashpoint area.

Loyalists accused republicans of attacking homes in the Lower Shankill area of the city.

An elderly woman was struck in the face with a brick after homes were attacked in Denmark Street.