Cowen in talks with Northern Secretary over pipe bombs

The Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid had telephone talks this afternoon with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian…

The Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid had telephone talks this afternoon with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian Cowen over the pipe bomb attacks in the North.

Dr Reid said: "I share Mr Cowen's concerns about these attacks and will consider the points raised."

Earlier Mr Cowen condemned the attacks saying the bombers were "enemies of democracy and enemies of the peace process".

Mr Gerry Kelly

Mr Cowen was speaking after a meeting in Dublin with a group of victims of recent loyalist violence. The group was led by Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast Mr Gerry Kelly.

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"The vast majority of recent sectarian attacks have been on members of the nationalist community. These cowardly attacks, no matter which community is the target, endanger the lives of ordinary members of the community and their children and must be brought to a halt," Mr Cowen said in a statement.

He said the attacks and how best to combat them would be high on the agenda for his next meting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid.

The latest violence has led to intensified security measures in the areas worst affected and troops returned to north Belfast streets earlier this week as part of the response to the trouble.

A meeting between the Northern Ireland First Minister Mr Trimble and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair took place yesterday although neither party made any comment afterwards.