Loyalist paramilitary boss Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair was today presented with the evidence used by the Northern Ireland Office to justify returning him to prison last night.
As he spent his first day of a new spell in a cell at the top security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim, senior prison officials formally presented Adair with a dossier outlining the evidence against him.
The Northern Ireland Office refused to say just what was in the document, but it is understood it detailed his involvement in directing acts of terrorism during the latest loyalist feud, drug dealing, extortion and money laundering.
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Johnny Adair
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He also stands accused of membership of a banned organisation and acquiring, having and distributing weapons.
Is it understood Adair will not now be released from prison until January 2005.
Armed officers swooped on Adair's home in the Lower Shankill area of Belfast last night, where he was arrested and returned to prison after his early release licence was revoked by Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy.
Mr Murphy said: "I am satisfied that Adair is a danger to others and while he is at liberty, is likely to commit further offences."
Adair has vowed to fight the decision, according to his associate, Mr John White, who went to visit him today.
"We have already had a consultation with a senior barrister and will probably apply for a judicial review in the High Court to challenge the Secretary of State's decision," said Mr White. He said Adair would also be seeking the assistance of the Human Rights Commission.
"It is against natural justice when those responsible for murder and mayhem are allowed to run free," he added.
Adair was freed from prison in 1998, after serving half of a 16-year term for directing terrorism. He was returned to jail in the summer of 2000 for stoking a feud with the rival Ulster Volunteer Force.
He was released again in May 2002, but in September was thrown out of the UDA in an internal feud security sources said was linked to control of the drugs trade and racketeering.
His expulsion was followed by a spate of shootings and attempted bomb attacks which have left five men dead and several others wounded. Police chiefs fear the loyalist feud could spiral out of control.
An booby trap car bomb and other explosives were seized in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, yesterday, close to where a man was shot and critically wounded.
Detectives were last night questioning six men about the wounding and the discovery of the weapons, which they claimed were linked to the fall-out among loyalists.
Officers seized a number of pipe bombs, a handgun and ammunition and a quantity of bomb-making equipment during a 13-hour security operation in the loyalist Castlemara estate.
Bomb-making manuals, explosive powder, component parts for explosive devices and clothing were also discovered.