Freed loyalist hitman Ken Barrett quit Northern Ireland with just £7 sterling in his pocket, it was claimed tonight.
Barrett, who served three years in jail for murdering Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, has fled to England.
But his lawyer denied that Barrett has been awarded any lucrative resettlement package. Joe Rice said: "He will be applying for benefits wherever he is as soon as possible. His partner is already receiving them."
Barrett, once anUlster Defence Association's gunman, walked out of Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim on Tuesday.
He had been sentenced to 22 years in jail in September 2004 after pleading guilty to shooting Mr Finucane - one of the murkiest and most controversial killings throughout Northern Ireland's Troubles.
After three inquiries spanning nearly 14 years, former Scotland Yard chief Lord Stevens revealed damning levels of security force collaboration with the loyalists who gunned down the solicitor at his north Belfast home in February 1989.
Peter Cory, a Canadian judge who examined the case, also recommended a public inquiry after finding enough evidence that police and military intelligence knew of the murder plot but failed to intervene.
Although the Government has agreed to establish a tribunal, the Finucane family are threatening a boycott because they believe its style will deprive them of the full truth.
Barrett applied for early release under the scheme for paramilitaries convicted of crimes committed before the April 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
His case was upheld by the Sentence Review Commission following a three day hearing at earlier this month. He had been held in an English prison after his conviction, only transferring to Maghaberry in February last year.
Once Barrett was freed he left Northern Ireland within hours. His desire to get out may have been fuelled by the fate of William Stobie, a former UDA quartermaster previously charged with the Finucane killing.
Two months after the case against him collapsed in November 2001, Stobie was shot dead by former associates outside his home in north-west Belfast.
At the time, and fearing he was next in line, Barrett fled to Britain - where he was secretly recorded confessing to the Finucane murder. With enemies still on the streets of Belfast, Barrett was taking no chances. His lawyer did not disclose his new location, but insisted no state assistance was given.
"After he left prison he had £7 in his possession," Mr Rice added. "He is certainly not aware of, or in receipt of any, resettlement package."
PA