Loyalists blamed for majority of 'punishment' attacks
21/09/2005 - 12:30:42Loyalists are carrying out almost three times as many "punishment attacks" as republicans, according to figures published today by the PSNI.
The figures showed loyalists carried out 40 punishment shootings in the first seven months of this year, compared to nine blamed on republican organisations.
Loyalists were also responsible for 44 beatings in the same period, while republicans were blamed for 25.
The most recent victims were three men in their late teens and early 20s who were all shot in the lower leg in a loyalist area of Newtownards, Co Down, last night.
