Loyalists invade Catholic church

The dangerous state of community relations in Northern Ireland was illustrated yet again at the weekend when a loyalist mob stormed a Catholic church and attempted to set fire to it, writes David McKittrick

Some 27 RUC officers were injured in disturbances which centred around a loyalist band parade in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Police fired plastic bullets to disperse crowds and made several arrests.

Nearby, vandals attacked the grave of Gregory Taylor, the RUC officer who was last weekend kicked to death by loyalists in a neighbouring town. Wreaths were scattered around the cemetery and gloating graffiti has appeared.

The incidents indicate that sectarian temperatures are high as a tense marching season approaches.