Shots fired at houses

Shotgun was fired at house in Portballintrae

The Progressive Unionist Party has blamed the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, for overnight gun attacks on three houses belonging to its members.

No-one was injured in the attacks in Portballintrae, Dervock, and the Waterside area of Londonderry.

The PUP is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force which is currently involved in a dispute with the rival loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association/Ulster Freedom Fighters.

Tensions have centred on north and west Belfast, after two men were shot dead outside a bookmakers on the Crumlin Road on Monday. One of the men is believed to have had links to the UDA.

However, in north Antrim on Monday night, a family of four escaped injury when a shotgun was fired through the window of the home of a PUP member in Portballintrae, County Antrim.

In Dervock shots were also fired at house

Stephen Hannah of the Progressive Unionist Party said: "The UDA - UFF are on a power struggle.

"They want to control this whole area and they don't want any PUP or UVF in this area.

"That's why the attack was carried out, to intimidate me, my family and any people who would support me in any way.

"I feel very angry. I would hope no other family would have to go through such an ordeal."

In Dervock, also in County Antrim, several shots were fired at the home of PUP member Frank Cunningham.

Mr Cunningham said: "I noticed these car lights coming up the avenue.

"So I got out of bed and I went over to near the window to see who it was.

"I saw a man coming out of the car with a combat jacket on and a ski mask of some description.

"I ducked down and he fired two shots through the living room window and they travelled out through the kitchen door and out the back," he said.

In nearby Coleraine, a car belonging to the former chairman of the local branch of the PUP had its windows smashed on the Ballysally estate.

Shots were also fired through the window of a house in the Waterside area of Londonderry.

The house at Lincoln Courts, which is believed to be the home of a leading PUP member, was unoccupied at the time.