The family of a former Provisional IRA prisoner from Co Tyrone have accused the IRA of attempting to abduct him at gunpoint on Tuesday night.
Mr Paddy Fox has gone into hiding in the Republic. His family claimed he had been targeted because of his criticisms of the Sinn Fein leadership and its political
Mr Fox (29), a former Sinn Fein member, served six years in the Maze Prison and was released in 1996. He comes from a prominent republican family. His parents were killed when UVF gunmen burst into their home in 1992. His brother-in-law was also shot dead by the UVF that year.
Mr Fox's sister, Ms Bernie McKearney, said her brother had been leaving his home in Dungannon when the incident occurred. "Paddy was getting into his car when he noticed the tyres had been slashed. Then another car pulled up. Paddy recognised the driver as an ex-IRA prisoner. Three men got out of the car. They were masked and armed.
"Paddy started running and they shouted `Stop or we'll shoot'. He just kept on running and managed to flag down a passing motorist."
Ms McKearney said her brother had not reported the incident to the RUC but had gone into hiding across the Border. "Our entire family are very worried. We are afraid they might have killed him. I have already lost my parents and my husband in the Troubles. I don't want to lose my brother."
She said her brother was not a member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Provisional IRA sources confirmed the incident had taken place and said the paramilitary group wished to "question" Mr Fox.