Bomb planted on doorstep

Loyalist paramilitaries planted a bomb at the home of an east Belfast man they mistakenly believed was a prison officer, it was claimed today.

Army explosives experts defused the device found on a doorstep in the Shaw Street area of the city.

A man in his 30s who lives alone at the house was unharmed but deeply traumatised, according to Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers.

Mr Rodgers, who also chairs Belfast’s policing partnership, blamed the terrorist Loyalist Volunteer Force for the attack.

After speaking to the victim, who did not want to be named, he said: “It’s quite clearly a case of mistaken identify.

“I understand some of the residents thought he was a prison officer but he has no connection with any security forces.”

Warders at Northern Ireland’s main jails have been targeted by loyalist paramilitaries in the past as part of a campaign to gain more rights for prisoners.

Mr Rodgers added: “Police have no doubt it was the LVF because the pipe bomb matches some of the devices they have been planting.

“I would appeal to the organisation responsible to stop this behaviour immediately because it’s only a matter of time before someone loses their life.”