The feuding between the loyalist groups had initially been restricted to Belfast and, in particular, the Protestant Shankill Road enclave in west Belfast. But there are signs that the feuding is spreading to other areas. Coleraine has already experienced other incidents connected with the feud. Army experts have defused two pipe bombs found in the area and another house has been shot at. The conflict in Belfast has been over territory and personal grievances.
Political sources say control of Belfast's lucrative illicit drug trade is another major factor.
Adair back in prison last week amid warnings that it is prepared to put soldiers back on the streets to help police halt the feuding. Mr. Adair had been released early from prison last year under the landmark 1998 Good Friday peace accord that has allowed hundreds of guerrillas to walk free. Mainstream guerrilla groups are observing ceasefires while politicians from the Protestant majority and Roman Catholic minority try to seal a lasting peace after 30 years of sectarian conflict that has killed 3,600 people. We're now witnessing the dying kicks of . . .