Unionist paramilitary feud in Derry

Sinn Féin has expressed concern as the latest feud between unionist paramilitaries threatens to break out in Derry.

The threat of the ongoing feud between the UVF and the UDA escalating in the Waterside area grew when Protestant homes were targeted by loyalist pipe bombers last week.

A Protestant family of five escaped serious injury when their home was targeted in a pipe bomb attack. Minor damage was caused when the device exploded at the rear of the house at Bond's Place at around 2am on Thursday 14 August.

A second device picked up by a woman from the doorstep of her home at Church Meadows in Kilfennan was declared an elaborated hoax.

The PSNI confirmed both devices were similar to those used in the past by unionist paramilitaries.

It is understood the families targeted have links to the PUP and that the attacks are linked to a power struggle going on inside loyalism in the Waterside area.

It is thought the tensions between the two unionist groups were heightened during the Apprentice Boys march last weekend, when a band associated with the UVF entered a public house in the Waterside area which is frequented by the UDA.

The PSNI is believed to have escorted the band from East Belfast to their bus to prevent an outbreak of loyalist violence in the area.

Sinn Féin councillor for the Waterside, Lynn Fleming, expressed her concern at the latest activities of unionist paramilitaries in the Derry area.

"The news that unionist paramilitaries are again active in the Waterside is a cause for great concern for everyone in the city," she said. "Whatever the motivation behind the latest attacks it is invariably the case that internal unionist paramilitary tensions are resolved by redirecting their attacks on the Catholic community."

•Meanwhile, loyalists have targeted a family in a pipe bomb attack on a house in the Queens Park area of Newtownabbey.

The front room of the house was left "considerably damaged" when the pipe bomb device, which had been left on the windowsill of the house, exploded.

The family who have been threatened in the past were not at home during the attack, which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning, 17 August.