Sinn Fein blasts loyalist paramilitaries

Sinn Fein today accused loyalist paramilitaries of ``ethnic cleansing'' after a number of Catholic homes were badly damaged.

Councillor Gerard Brophy blamed the Ulster Defence Association for the attacks on houses in Skegoniel Avenue, north Belfast.

He claims people are being forced to move out of their homes, because of the 'ethnic cleansing of this area by loyalists.

Last week, the Loyalist Commission, a group made up of paramilitaries, politicians, community and church leaders, called for a ``period of calm'' in flashpoint areas.