The incident happened at Twaddell Avenue at about 0430 BST on Sunday.

The police said a rock was thrown at the house and the windows of the car were smashed with hammers.

The attack has been condemned by local community worker John McVicker. He said the family was distraught.

"In terms of the family themselves, they are very badly shaken," he said.

"There is a handicapped child in the house. As far as the republican element in Ardoyne are concerned - it's really take your pick here."

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy is in a stable condition in hospital after being attacked by a gang in north Belfast.

The teenager was hit with an iron bar and a stick during the incident which happened on Sunday morning after cars and houses were attacked in the Clifton Park avenue area.

Meanwhile, there have been disturbances in the Ardoyne Road area of north Belfast.

Up to 200 people were involved in stone-throwing incidents in the Alliance Avenue and Glenbryn areas on Sunday afternoon.