The RUC last night said it was investigating a sexual assault on a three-year-old girl in north Belfast. A police spokesman refused to release details of where or when the attack took place but confirmed that detectives were pursuing the case.
There are also reports that the IRA is hunting the attackers but these reports could not be confirmed. The Sunday Life stated that the child was assaulted by three teenage glue-sniffers. The newspaper claimed the girl was so badly injured that she may need a hysterectomy. She was reportedly treated in hospital the day after her mother found her bleeding. The Sunday Life said the three suspects were from a different area of north Belfast and have not been seen since.
It reported that feelings were running so high that the IRA might break its ceasefire and kill the perpetrators. Sinn Fein representatives in the area could not be contacted for comment. A local community worker said: "People know that something has happened but nobody is really sure of the details. There are a lot of rumours circulating." The RUC said anyone with information should contact Newtownabbey child abuse and rape inquiry unit.