The opening of Lee Clegg's murder appeal in Belfast yesterday was interrupted by Mr Rodger Dillon, whose brother Seamus was shot by the LVF near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in retaliation for the INLA murder of Billy Wright. He shouted: "There has been a cover-up by the RUC in regard to my brother's murder.
"There is no justice for nationalists - you have to be a policeman or a soldier." As he was escorted out, he added: "Clegg should be locked away and never released."
About 30 members of Saoirse, the republican prisoners' freedom group, protested outside the court as Clegg's divorced parents arrived.
Clegg (30), a paratrooper, of Wakefield, Yorkshire, is appealing against his conviction and life sentence for murdering Ms Karen Reilly (18) who died after paratroopers fired 19 bullets into a stolen car in west Belfast in 1990.
He lost two appeals but was released in July 1995 after serving just over two years and is back with the Parachute Regiment.
Former Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, referred the case back to the Court of Appeal after he was presented with new forensic evidence.
Mr Simon McKay, the legal adviser from Clegg's new solicitors, Chadwick Lawrence, said he had spoken to Clegg at the weekend. "As ever, he was optimistic that eventually we will prove the truth of the shooting. As far as Lee Clegg is concerned, he never fired after the car passed him."
The first of the new defence witnesses to be called was Dr Graham Renshaw, a ballistics expert, who gave evidence about firing tests he carried out on a Vauxhall Astra car similar to the one in which Ms Reilly was a back-seat passenger.
The hearing continues today and is expected to last about two weeks.
Clegg was not present and Mr McKay denied he was under British army orders not to attend.