Arrests after Belfast killing

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Police have arrested six men, in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old as he was visiting his girlfriend and child.

Police are investigating whether the shooting is part of a growing feud between pro-British groups.

The victim, Sammy Rocket, is reported to have come from a family with links to the Ulster Volunteer Force. He was visiting his girlfriend and child in Summer Street, Belfast, at the time of the attack and later died at hospital.

Police arrested six men and seized firearms and ammunition after they chased the men who had allegedly been acting suspiciously in the Shankhill Road on Wednesday night, where tensions between rival loyalist groups have been high over recent days.

The UVF has been involved in escalating fighting with the Ulster Defense Association.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday's shooting but troops and police stepped up patrols in the capital.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary has refused to officialy confirm that the arrests were in connection with Rocket's death.

The shooting happened on Wednesday night off the Crumlin Road and just a few hundred yards from where two rival Protestant paramilitary men were shot dead two days ago.

It also comes a day after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson ordered the arrest of prominent loyalist leader Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair.

The British Government said it had arrested Adair, the former leader of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), because he was allegedly a threat to the British province's fragile peace process.

The arrest -- which Adair says he will challenge in the courts - followed a spate of violence between loyalist groups.

Troops, deployed on Belfast's streets for the first time in two years, took up positions around Adair's house on Tuesday amid fears that the arrest would spark violence.

A crowd of between 60 and 70 had gathered at one end of the street, which was blocked off by RUC vehicles and police in riot gear.

But Tuesday night passed without incident and intensive talks are due to continue between the UK Government and Northern Irish political groups to keep the peace process on track amid the current tensions.

Adair, who was released under Northern Ireland's peace agreement five years into 16-year prison sentence for directing terrorism last September, had been seen during the summer at the head of the Drumcree marching dispute and at other so-called paramilitary shows-of-strength.

The arrest came amid clashes between the UDA, which is linked to the UFF, and the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

Troops on alert after loyalist Adair jailed
August 23, 2000
Former N.Irish paramilitary back in jail
August 22, 2000
British troops return to Belfast streets
August 21, 2000
Loyalist Adair to challenge arrest decision
August 23, 2000

RUC
Northern Ireland Office

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