The UVF has vowed to avenge a drugs-related murder in Antrim and has already tried to kill two suspects, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
A prosecution lawyer made the claim when opposing a bail application by a British soldier who was home on leave when Mr Denvir James Smith was murdered last January.
Private Scott Bradshaw (19), from Devon Square, Antrim, from the Irish Guards stationed in Germany, is one of four men who have denied murdering Mr Smith, a 33-year-old father of three, who lived at Moss Drive, Ballycraigy, Antrim.
The court was told the backdrop to his murder was drugs and he died from severe head injuries after being attacked by a crowd of men in the Stiles estate.
"Already a shotgun attack has been made on the life of one man who was interviewed by police about the murder, and a pipe-bomb was thrown at another man's home," the lawyer said.
Adjourning the application, the judge said he wanted to hear what the army had to say about taking Private Bradshaw back if he was released on bail pending his trial.