Loyalists admit attempted murder of Catholic

Loyalist paramilitaries have claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a Catholic taxi driver in Belfast yesterday morning.

Loyalist paramilitaries have claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a Catholic taxi driver in Belfast yesterday morning.

The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used in the past by the UDA and the LVF, said it was behind the attempted murder.

An RUC spokesman said yesterday the man arrived at a house at Parkmount Terrace, off the Shore Road, at around 6 a.m when two youths jumped out of bushes and fired a single shot at him.

The vehicle was hit but the driver escaped injury and managed to drive off.

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The two attackers ran off, but were spotted by passing RUC officers, who gave chase.

The men escaped but dropped their weapon, a handgun, which was recovered by the RUC.