RUC says devices were both hoaxes

SECURITY forces carried out controlled explosions on suspicious devices in Belfast and Derry yesterday, but both packages were hoaxes. At about 8 a.m. in Derry, police noticed a box with wires and tape attached in an alley off Clarendon Street, close to the city's RUC headquarters at Strand Road.

The second security alert occurred at Belfast's Hamilton Street about lunchtime. A con trolled explosion was carried out but policy said the device was an elaborate hoax

A man was in hospital overnight following a so called "punishment beating" in Newtownards, Co Down. The 26 year old victim suffered a suspected broken right arm and leg in the attack by three masked men using pick axe handles. The incident happened at the town's Abbot Estate.

Police are also investigating another attack on a church in the North, in Fintona, Co Tyrone, where the Methodist church had several windows smashed.

Meanwhile, the SDLP has demanded an inquiry into claims that the RUC turned a blind eye to a sectarian beating in Portadown last Saturday night. Party councillor Ms Brid Rodgers said the police had refused calls for help from the girlfriends of two men who were badly beaten while walking home from a dance. One suffered serious head injuries.