POLICE were last night investigating a blast-bomb attack in the New Lodge area of north Belfast. A device was thrown at a police patrol at around 10.30pm. The attack being blamed on dissidents and comes amid a number of arrests in connection with dissident republican activity. High-profile republican spokesman Dee Fennell (33) appeared in Craigavon Magistrates Court yesterday charged with offences linked to a speech given at an Easter commemoration in Lurgan.
The Ardoyne man was remanded in custody is charged with encouraging people to commit acts of terrorism and supporting a proscribed organisation.
A 53-year-old man was also arrested yesterday in north Belfast in connection with a gun attack on Crumlin Road in December 2013.
He was later released unconditionally.