A former associate of loyalist Mark Haddock appeared in court today accused of trying to kill him.
Darren Moore (36), denies being part of the assassination plot against Mr Haddock (37), who was shot six times after getting out of his car for a meeting in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, last Tuesday.
The Ulster Volunteer Force, an outlawed loyalist paramilitary organisation, is believed to have been behind the murder bid on one of its former commanders.
Mr Haddock, who once ran the UVF-controlled Mount Vernon estate in North Belfast, had been out on bail while on trial for the attempted killing of a nightclub doorman.
Mr Moore, of Mount Vernon Park, North Belfast, had been charged with him over the attack on Trevor Gowdey in 2002, but the case against him was later dropped.
He was arrested by detectives investigating last week's shooting.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was told that after being charged, Mr Moore replied: "I'm not guilty, could you check my alibis?"
Mr Haddock remains seriously ill in hospital following the attempt on his life, which came as Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan finalises her report into allegations that police Special Branch officers allowed loyalist paramilitary killers to operate without fear of prosecution.
Mr Haddock is believed to have been the focus of the inquiry.
In court today, Detective Inspector Gareth Nicholl insisted he could connect Moore with the attempted murder of his ex-associate.
During cross-examination, defence solicitor Eileen Ewing asked the officer: "Has the injured party, Mark Haddock, made a signed written statement of complaint?" Mr Nicholl confirmed this had not yet happened.
Mr Moore was remanded in custody until July 3rd to appear again by video link.