Belfast: Loyalists drive JCB into nationalist pub

Loyalist paramilitaries have been blamed for an attack early this morning in which a JCB with burning rubble in its bucket was smashed into the front of a nationalist pub in Belfast.

The incident happened at the Thirty Two Degrees North pub on the Crumlin Road at around 12.45am.

The attack caused structural damage to the building. It also sparked a fire that was quickly extinguished by fire-fighters.

All of those inside the pub escaped injury. Local Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan said the incident was clearly sectarian and was “attempted murder on the staff and the customers of that pub”.

She blamed the Ulster Defence Association, saying a group of around 50 adults also threw missiles at the bar after the attack.