Homes attacked in 'loyalist tensions'

Police are treating attacks on houses as attempted murder

Security sources have said three gun attacks on homes in County Armagh are believed to be linked to tensions between rival loyalist paramilitary groups.

The families in Portadown escaped injury in the attacks on Sunday night.

Shots were fired at the houses at Granville Road, Westland Road and Robinsonstown Road between 2330 BST and 0005 BST.

In the first attack at Granville Road on the Killicomain estate, shots were fired through an upstairs window.

Ten minutes later, some distance away, the house on Westland Road was attacked.

The owner had just left the living room when he heard gunfire. Four children were asleep upstairs.

Within half an hour a shotgun was fired at the house in the Birches, outside Portadown.

The family said they did not understand why they were targeted.

'Attempted murder inquiry'

RUC Chief Inspector Terry Walkingshaw said they were investigating the attacks as attempted murder attempts.

He said: "Somebody could easily have been killed.

"It's important we establish a motive, but it is equally important we try and find the people responsible for these three attempted murders."

The latest attacks followed a gun attack on a house in the nearby County Armagh town of Lurgan on Sunday morning.

No-one was injured when up to eight shots were fired at the house in the Braemar Avenue area of the town shortly after 0600 BST.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon said the attacks were very worrying.

"I am very concerned that this insidious violence is being used. These attacks are an indication of what is lying under the surface."

Pub attacked

Meanwhile, the police have said they think a pipe bomb attack on a pub in Articlave near Castlerock in County Londonderry was not sectarian.

The device was left on the windowsill of the Village Tavern on the Mussenden Road at about 0020 BST on Monday.

It is thought it fell off and exploded on the ground.

It caused minor damage. No-one was injured.

RUC Chief Inspector Nigel Kyle said: "The use of a pipe bomb in the middle of a village is to be utterly condemned.

"I would urge the community to support and assist us in bringing those responsible to justice."