Holland, who was released from Portlaoise prison early yesterday, is in Rome taking a polygraph test which, he says, will show he didn't murder Veronica Guerin.

His nephew, Jimmy Holland, told the Sunday Tribune:

"Paddy thinks had he been on The Late Late Show, it would have helped the Guerin family.

"They would have realised he didn't murder Veronica.

They would have heard that the evidence against him is very shaky and that Charlie Bowden was the murderer."

The Guerin family yesterday expressed its disappointment at Holland's release.

Paddy Holland served nine years' imprisonment for possession of cannabis. He was never charged with Guerin's murder but was named in court as the gunman."He wanted to take the polygraph immediately to prove his innocence once and for all, " said his nephew.

Holland's lawyer, Giovanni di Stefano, known as the Devil's Advocate, is based in Rome.

After being released from Portlaoise just after midnight, Holland went to the Merrion Hotel in Dublin. "Paddy said it seemed a bit odd to be there after nine years in jail. He didn't order any special food or anything, he just wanted a cup of tea and a chat. He'll miss the craic in jail, and he'll stay in touch with some of the lads, but he's delighted to be out."

Jimmy Holland said his uncle would return to Dublin mid-week. "He won't be socialising. He's never drank and he's never smoked and he won't change now."