Nail bombs attack on police station

Police were today investigating a double nail bomb attack on their station in north Belfast.

One device exploded in the front yard of Antrim Road police station but did not cause damage or injure anyone.

The second device failed to explode and was being examined by Army bomb disposal experts.

Both bombs were lobbed over the perimeter wall at about 9.45pm.

Antrim Road was closed to traffic between Cavehill Road and Alexandra Park Avenue and residents at a nearby drug rehabilitation hostel were evacuated.

Police and troops were also attacked by youths throwing stones as they dealt with a hoax alert in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

Later, at 11pm a pipe bomb was thrown into the garden of a family home in Magherafelt, Co Derry, waking three children aged six, four and 18-months.

Army bomb disposal experts were examining the remains of the bomb today.

The parents and three children were not injured, but two windows, a garden shed and the backdoor of the house were damaged.

The attack was not thought to be sectarian.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was recovering today after being wounded in an apparent paramilitary-style attack in north Belfast.

The victim was taken from his house at around 8.30pm and shot in both hands in Hillman Street and Stratheden Street.

Detectives at North Queen Street in Belfast appealed for witnesses to come forward.