Northern Ireland

Five arrested over loyalist feud attacks in north Down

Five men arrested after a string of attacks linked to a loyalist feud in north Down and Ards. Picture by Mal McCann
Five men arrested after a string of attacks linked to a loyalist feud in north Down and Ards. Picture by Mal McCann Five men arrested after a string of attacks linked to a loyalist feud in north Down and Ards. Picture by Mal McCann
By Allan Preston

POLICE have arrested five men following a string of attacks in north Down that are being linked to a loyalist feud.

Up to eight properties were targeted in petrol bomb attacks while another was targeted with a pipe bomb.

In one incident, a 62-year-old man was treated by paramedics after a house in Newtownards was hit with petrol bombs on Sunday.

Police have said the incidents are linked to an ongoing feud between two rival drug gangs operating under the banner of the UDA in the north Down and Ards areas.

Since March 22, this has included attacks on eight houses using petrol bombs, a pipe bomb and other implements.

Two attempted hijackings have also been reported while graffiti has been daubed on properties.

One example spotted in Newtownards on Tuesday is reported to have included the phrase “dead men walking.”

On Tuesday, the PSNI arrested a 50-year-old man in Belfast under the Terrorism Act, following the search of a property in Newtownards.

A 30-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including arson with intent to endanger life.

Earlier in the day, a 29-year-old man in Newtownards and 53-year-old man in Hillsborough were both arrested under the Terrorism Act.

A 30-year-old man in Newtownards was arrested in Newtownards on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a Class B controlled drug.,

Following searches in the Newtownards area, a number of items were removed for further examination.

Speaking on Monday, the PSNI’s North Down and Ards District Commander Johnston McDowell said the attacks had shown “a total disregard for the safety of the community.”

“This activity will not be tolerated and I want to reassure people living in north Down and Ards that we have already increased our policing presences across the area, so they can expect to see heightened police activity.”

Anyone with relevant information on the attacks has been urged to call Detectives on 101, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.