The Loyalist Volunteer Force has claimed responsibility for the murder of a former Republican prisoner outside a hotel in County Tyrone.

The LVF also warned of more attacks following the assassination of the Loyalist militant, Billy Wright, in the Maze Prison on Saturday.

The Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, speaking to the BBC's The World This Weekend (3' 12")

Seamus Dillon, 45, died after being shot by gunmen as he worked as a doorman at the Glengannon Hotel. A former Republican prisoner, he had served a life sentence for murder.

Security sources confirmed that the attack which left two other men and a 14-year-old boy wounded was in retaliation for Wright's murder.

The shootings happened on Saturday night outside the hotel in Dungannon, which locals say is used mostly by Catholics.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness gives his reaction to events

Assistant Chief Constable Freddie Hall described the attack as "reckless and a further and unnecessary destruction of human life."

He said: "I appeal for the community to remain vigilant and calm and urge people to work together to ensure there is no needless violence."

The local Ulster Unionist MP, Ken Maginnis, condemned the shootings.

Mr Maginnis, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: "One is very sad to see this escalation of violence. Nothing justifies such action irrespective of the provocation."

Violence spreads through the region

The Army was called on to deal with violence after Billy Wright was shot

Earlier there were also disturbances in Portadown, Billy Wright's home town.

Several cars and a bus were hijacked and set on fire. One man's car was stolen as masked men put a gun to his head.

A number of Catholic-owned pubs, clubs and taxi firms in the centre of the town also closed early.

Police and troops were patrolling the centre of Portadown to keep the peace.

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