Shot girl: arrests

SEVERAL men were being questioned last night about the murder of a schoolgirl shot dead in Belfast. Nine-year-old Barbara McAlorum, who died after a gunman fired at her family's home on Friday night, was the third victim of a new row in the Irish National Liberation Army. A man - not related - also hit in the attack was critically ill in hospital.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary made a series of arrests after the shooting in north Belfast. Several people who were in the house at the time have also been interviewed by detectives.

Yesterday it was claimed that a group loyal to Gino Gallagher, an INLA leader shot dead in Belfast in January, was to blame. The same faction was blamed for killing John Fennell in Bundoran earlier this month.