Loyalists blamed for pipe bomb attacks on Catholic targets

Police in the North are investigating suspected sectarian attacks on a house and a van in Co Antrim early today.

Pipe bombs were planted beneath the van and on a window ledge of the house in the village of Cloughmills.

The first one exploded at around 4.30am, damaging the van, while the second detonated around 45 minutes later, shattering the window of the house, but causing no injuries.

The targets of both attacks were Catholic families who said they had been attacked before.

The PSNI has confirmed that it is treating the incidents as sectarian.

Sinn Fein has blamed loyalist paramilitaries, saying the bombs were part of an ongoing campaign against Catholics in the area.