Three shot in attack on club in Belfast

THREE MEN were injured when gunmen opened fire through the doors of a mainly Catholic dockers' club in the Harbour district of Belfast last night.

They were believed to be two doormen and a golfer who had just arrived to make a charity donation at a Cancer Research function. They underwent emergency surgery last night. One was later said to be in a critical condition. The others were 'comfortable'.

The attack is assumed to be the work of a loyalist group. The club, in Pilot Street, caters mainly for Catholics. Last night both Catholics and Protestants were present at the charity function when the shootings took place.

A man who was inside the bar said the doormen tried to bang the door closed when the gunmen approached, but fell injured. The third person was making a telephone call when hit.

The charity event, for a hospice, had started. One witness said they had started selling tickets for prizes when the shooting took place.

There were also people there from the Fort William golf club, and a prize ceremony was under way. The shooting came just after awards were presented.

One man said: 'There was pandemonium. People ran up screaming. I didn't know what had happened.'