Public meeting to discuss attacks

Community workers and councillors in west Belfast are to hold a public meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour following weekend attacks.

An elderly couple suffered shock when fireworks were pushed through their letterbox at Gransha Park on Saturday.

The devices ignited, filling the house with smoke.

Police at the scene and at another incident in Andersonstown were attacked with stones, fireworks and petrol bombs.

West Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Michael Ferguson, who blamed drunken youths for the incidents, said it was "lucky in both cases that people were not injured in hospital or dead".

Injured

"Local Sinn Fein councillors and I will be convening meetings in the Gransha area to support the elderly victims and we will also be discussing with businesses along this road drink-related issues," he said.

Two police officers were slightly injured when they came under attack by a crowd of about 150 youths on the Andersonstown Road.

Trouble began at 2200 BST after police and fire crews arrived at a petrol station on the Andersonstown Road when a gas cylinder was set alight.

One policeman suffered a head injury and a policewoman received a leg injury after officers were attacked with bricks and other missiles.

Five Land Rovers were also damaged. One man and a teenager were arrested in connection with the disturbance.