Fears of a renewed feud between loyalist paramilitaries have grown following the murder of Mr Grahame Marks in Tandragee, Co Armagh. The dissident Loyalist Volunteer Force is believed to have been responsible.
A man was questioned by the RUC last night and released without charge. Mr Marks (37) is believed to have had connections with the UVF, although his family has insisted he was not a member of any paramilitary organisation.
An LVF source in Mid-Ulster said last night: "The UVF has been stepping up its attacks on the LVF and their supporters. The LVF have decided `enough is enough' and has hit back. The feud is far from over." A UVF source predicted there would be retaliation.
Mr Marks was alone in his home in Tullyhugh Park when a gunman forced his way into the house at 11 p.m. on Wednesday. He was shot in the head. Friends said his wife and children had been living away from the house because of the threat from the LVF.
Mr Marks was one of several men questioned about a double murder a year ago. He was released without charge.
The North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, said he was "appalled" by the killing. The Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, condemned it as "an evil act".
Alliance deputy leader Mr Seamus Close said: "This was yet another pointless, cowardly murder."