Police braced for more sectarian attacks

Catholic families were handed fire blankets today in an unprecedented move by police attempting to thwart sectarian attacks by loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland

The were distributed in the village of Ahoghill, near Ballymena, Co Antrim, where several Catholic houses, churches and pubs have been hit with pipe, petrol and paint bombs.

It is the first time police have take such action, but it confirmed fears that the violence involving elements within the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) could get worse.

Much of it has been linked to loyalist opposition to a republican parade due to be held in Ballymena tonight.

But the scale of the anti-Catholic intimidation, particularly in the predominantly Protestant north Antrim area, is causing increasing concerns among police chiefs.

One Catholic woman who has lived in Ahoghill for more than 50 years was forced to leave last month after windows were broken and her home smeared with paint.

The decision to hand out fire blankets was based on intelligence there could be more attacks, police admitted.

But a spokesman also insisted: “It is purely a precaution and we hope they never have to be used. The fact they have been given out to some people does not mean they will be targeted.”

Details of the new police action emerged just hours after a Sinn Féin councillor accused loyalists of attempting to kill him and his family after their home was petrol-bombed.

Dessie Ward was with his mother and young brother when the house in Banbridge, Co Down, was attacked.

Nobody was hurt, but it signalled a widening of the campaign of intimidation by paramilitaries.

Mr Ward, a member of Banbridge District Council, said he had no doubt there had been an attempt to kill him and his family and he urged Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley to intervene in a bid to end the violence.

Mr Paisley is also MP for North Antrim, whose constituency includes Ballymena.

Mr Ward said: “The DUP can no longer hide behind anti-republican rhetoric as a tactic in avoiding their responsibilities in ending this campaign of violence and intimidation.”