Patrols increased after attacks

One of the pubs damaged in County Antrim attacks

The police have increased patrols in and around Ballymena following a number of incidents in the area on Monday.

Loyalist paramilitaries were behind a spate of attacks on Catholic churches and Catholic-owned pubs.

Chief Inspector Stephen Martin warned that if the "madness" did not stop, someone would be killed.

A bar was targeted by arsonists in Martinstown and the remains of petrol bombs were found at a pub in Rasharkin. Two Ballymena churches were targeted.

Mr Martin said the attacks were linked to a republican parade in Ballymena.

Crebilly Catholic church on the outskirts of Ballymena and All Saints Church on the Broughshane Road were daubed with paint in the attacks.

The remains of a petrol bomb were found at the Glens Way Tavern on the Glenravel Road in Martinstown early on Tuesday.

The bar was badly damaged in the arson attack.

This wave of anti-Catholic sectarian attacks is simply the latest in a long line of attacks on Catholics and nationalists in north Antrim Philip McGuigan Sinn Fein

Mr Martin condemned the attacks on church property as "absolutely disgusting and disgraceful."

He added: "I would call on all people of influence in the Ballymena area, whether elected or non-elected, to use their influence in a very positive way to bring this madness to an end.

"If it doesn't come to an end, I fear that someone will end up losing their life."

However, he would not be drawn on which group was involved in the attacks.

"It's loyalist paramiltary and we're looking very carefully at who is involved," he said.

The republican parade is due to take place in Ballymena on 9 August. The Parades Commission is expected to issue a ruling about it on Thursday.

The SDLP has called for the parade to be called off, saying both sides of the community where it is to take place are opposed to it.

Blast bomb

SDLP assembly member Sean Farren and party councillors Declan O'Loan, PJ McAvoy and Margaret Gribben issued a joint statement condemning the attacks.

"A concerted attack has now been launched on the Catholic community in the Ballymena area by people who are intent on raising community tension," they said.

"This situation has reached a dangerous level and calls for a clear stand to ensure community relations are not damaged beyond repair.

"Community leaders within the loyalist community have a clear responsibility to use all their influence to end these attacks."

Sinn Fein assembly member Philip McGuigan said: "This wave of anti-Catholic sectarian attacks is simply the latest in a long line of attacks on Catholics and nationalists in north Antrim.

"Unionist politicians and, in particular, the DUP are in denial about the levels of ongoing anti-Catholic intimidation which is coming from within the unionist community."

However, police do not believe a blast bomb attack on a house on the Antrim Road in the town is linked to the other incidents.

The device was thrown at the front door shortly after midnight, causing minor damage to the house.

Twelve neighbours were moved to a church hall after Army technical experts were called in.

They were allowed back to their homes at about 0400 BST. Police are keeping an open mind as to the motive.