Police foiled attack on Johnny Adair - report

Loyalist sources have claimed that the arrest of two people and seizure of two handguns in north Belfast yesterday was linked to a murder attempt on Johnny Adair.

One of those arrested in Ballysillan is believed to be a leading member of the Ulster Defence Association, which expelled Adair from its ranks three months ago.

He and the second man were apparently intercepted by police patrol while they were on a motorcycle close to the school attended by Adair's daughter.

Loyalist sources said they believe the pair were planning to attack Adair as he went to pick her up or on his way home.

Mr Adair, the commander of the UDA's 'C' Company on the Shankill Road, was expelled from the organisation for siding with the Loyalist Volunteer Force during a dispute between the two paramilitary groups.

His expulsion has sparked an increasingly violent feud between the UDA leadership and local west Belfast members who are still loyal to Adair.

Last night, shots were fired at the north Belfast home of loyalist councillor Tommy Kirkham, a member of the Ulster Political Research Group, the political wing of the UDA.

Shots were also fired in the Rathcoole and Crumlin Road areas. Police said all the attacks were linked to the UDA feud.