Group admits attacks in North

A group calling itself the Red Hand Defenders has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in the North in recent weeks…

A group calling itself the Red Hand Defenders has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in the North in recent weeks and has vowed to "continue the war".

In a statement to the media yesterday, the Red Hand Defenders says it carried out a series of arson attacks on Catholic churches in July. The attacks badly damaged a number of churches in Armagh and Down. At the time there was considerable speculation that the Loyalist Volunteer Force was behind the attacks, an allegation denied by the LVF.

The group also says it was responsible for the five bomb attacks on Catholic-owned businesses in Antrim and Newtownards. It says it was behind the violence in Portadown on September 5th which left a police officer critically injured after a blast bomb attack near the town's Corcrain Estate.

The statement also warns all those involved with the peace process, saying: "All those involved in the sell-out of Ulster will now be classed as legitimate targets".