Police move in to quell Belfast loyalist dispute

Police and soldiers moved into a Belfast estate today after loyalist paramilitaries forced families to flee their homes.

Ulster Volunteer Force men ordered households suspected of associations with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force to get out.

They were ousted from houses at Garnerville, east Belfast, as part of a developing feud between the two organisations. Two men have already been killed in the bloody dispute.

In north Belfast, an arson attack on a taxi depot and the blast-bombing of a house were both linked to the conflict.

But it was the move to force out at least six families last night that provoked outrage.

The police district commander for east Belfast called for any available peacebrokers to intervene.

Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine said: “I would appeal for calm and would urge those in the community with influence to use that influence.

“We are very much aware of the concerns of the local community. These situations, as we often say, cannot be resolved by police alone.

“But let me assure you my officers are on the ground and are working hard to resolve the tensions.”