IRA believed responsible for shooting

The Provisional IRA is believed to have been responsible for a "punishment" shooting in west Belfast

The Provisional IRA is believed to have been responsible for a "punishment" shooting in west Belfast. A man who was shot in the legs in Downfine Park in Andersonstown was taken to hospital after the attack on Tuesday night. He is said to be in a stable condition.

Several families were moved from their homes in Portadown, Co Armagh, yesterday while British army bomb experts dealt with a pipe bomb. The device was thrown into the living room of a house in Atkinson Avenue, a loyalist area, on Monday.

A couple and their four children were sleeping upstairs.

The family heard nothing but noticed a broken window when they woke up. They later spotted a small lead pipe on the floor and contacted the RUC on Tuesday night.

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The RUC said no motive has been established for the attack which was condemned by the Ulster Unionists.

Two shops in north Belfast were destroyed in an arson attack early yesterday. No motive has been established.