Two killed in 'loyalist feud' shooting

Two dead after Belfast shooting

Two men have been killed as a loyalist paramilitary feud erupted in new bloodshed on the streets of Belfast.

Who are the UDA/UFF?

The Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Freedom Fighters make up the largest loyalist paramilitary group in NI. It called a ceasefire in 1994, but recently threatened to break it by shooting Catholics. It is linked politically to the Ulster Democratic Party.

The police said the two men were sitting in a blue jeep outside a bookmakers on the Crumlin Road around midday when at least eight shots were fired at them from another car.

The men are understood to be loyalists and the attack is believed to be linked to an escalating feud between the rival Ulster Freedom Fighters/Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force.

One man who died at the scene is believed to have been linked to the UDA. The second man died later in hospital.

Shots fired at police

In a separate report, shots have been fired into the west Belfast Shankill Road offices of the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the UDA/UFF.

Who are the UVF?

The Ulster Volunteer Force is a loyalist paramilitary group which became prominent in the late 1960s at the beginning of the present Troubles. It called a ceasefire in 1994 and is linked politically to the Progressive Unionist Party.

The police said shots were also fired at their officers in the area.

They said they have arrested two people and seized weapons at Brookmount Street in the Shankill Road area.

And in another incident, there are reports that the Shankill Road offices of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the UVF, have been set on fire by an angry crowd.

John White, chairman of the UDP, said the man shot dead in north Belfast was a community worker and blamed his murder on the UVF.

The UDP's John White has blamed UVF for shooting

He said the shooting was a "dastardly act".

The condition of the injured man, who is being treated in the Mater hospital, is not yet known.

Convicted leader of the UFF Johnny Adair and Mr White went to the scene of the Crumlin Road shooting.

The shootings have followed a weekend of tension between the rival loyalist paramilitaries on the Shankill Road.

A UDA-linked festival on the Shankill Road on Saturday erupted into violence when shots were fired into the Rex bar injuring seven people.

And a UFF/UDA colour party standing on the festival stage let off a volley of shots cheered on by crowds of people.

On Monday John White called for an intermediary to be appointed to try to find a solution to the dispute between the UDA/UFF and the UVF in Belfast.