Loyalist paramilitaries last night confirmed they were behind the crashing of a mechanical digger into north Belfast pub in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The claim came in a coded message from the Red Hand Defenders - a cover name used by the Ulster Defence Association.
They also claimed to be behind envelopes containing bullets sent to leading members of Sinn Fein earlier this week. The 'letters' were intercepted at Northern Ireland's main postal sorting office.
Local representatives in the Crumlin Road where the pub was damaged, accused Loyalist of trying to murder the people inside.
Windows were smashed and structural damage caused to the Thirty Two Degrees North pub shortly before 1 a.m.
SDLP Councillor Mr Martin Morgan said the attack was reckless and designed to inflict death or serious injury.
"I have no doubt that the loyalist hooligans responsible for this attack set out to heighten tensions in the area between the two communities" he said.
Sinn Fein councillor Ms Margaret McClenaghan said: "The motive behind this was very clear. It was a sectarian attack and it was attempted murder on the staff and the customers of that pub.
Ms McClenaghan said she believed the truck was driven from a building site at nearby Twaddell Avenue.
Police said a large crowd had gathered outside the pub after the attack but calm was restored with the help of community representatives.
PA