KEVIN McGuigan had spoken of concerns for his safety following media speculation that he was involved in the murder of Gerard 'Jock' Davison.
Speculation had been rife that the 53-year-old former IRA prisoner had been involved in the revenge style shooting of his one time associate in the Markets area of south Belfast in May.
The once high-ranking member of the IRA was sentenced to 12 years in prison for kidnapping a British soldier in 1986 along with Ardoyne republican Martin Meehan.
However he had fallen foul of the organisation and was later shot in both legs in a punishment style attack ordered by Jock Davison.
In the wake of speculation McGuigan denied he had been involved in Davison's murder saying that he was "extremely upset, anxious and distresses" by the allegations being levelled at him.
Speaking through his solicitor he was "fearful for his own life and that of his family and their safety".
As a result the father-of-nine revealed he had installed added security measures to his house in Comber Court in the Short Strand.
In the weeks before Wednesday night's murder Mr McGuigan had also indicated through his solicitor that he was considering taking part in an interview with The Irish News to publicly deny any involvement in the killing of the former IRA commander.
