A MAN who survived an assassination bid after being questioned about the murder of an IRA commander has had bail conditions relaxed amid claims he is a "sitting duck" for a further revenge attack.
Scott McHugh was shot four times in west Belfast in May this year - one year after Gerard 'Jock' Davison was gunned down in the Markets area of the city.
McHugh, 29, had previously been detained and questioned about the killing, but was released unconditionally.
He is currently on bail at an undisclosed address charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with a planned robbery trial.
His legal team mounted a High Court application on Friday to vary his curfew, claiming the restriction puts him in greater danger.
Barrister Michael Ward said McHugh has received a series of threats since being arrested by detectives investigating the Davison killing.
He claimed newspaper publicity about his client's questioning and release without charge "put a target on his back", culminating in the attempt on his life at Distillery Court.
"Prior to being shot in May 2016 he had asked police if he could be provided with a bullet-proof vest, such were his concerns about this type of revenge attack," Mr Ward told the court.
"The position is that the applicant remains under threat."
Mr Ward also cited the murder on Thursday night of 43-year-old Joe Reilly in the Poleglass area of west Belfast.
"These types of shootings appear to be becoming more prevalent and this applicant is in real fear for his life," he added.
"He believes those sinister elements that sought to end his life in May 2016 still seek to do so.
"While he's subject to a curfew at an address he's effectively a sitting duck for people seeking to do him harm."
Following submissions Mr Justice Deeny agreed to the variation on McHugh's living arrangements aimed at increasing his safety.
