Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis had a history of protesting against Channel Seven's Sunrise program outside its Martin Place studio.

On Tuesday a coronial inquest heard in June 2008, Monis attempted to hand out flyers headlined "War on Islam". The one-page leaflet alleged the Sunrise program had broadcast the following message for "Muslim doctors" during a program in July the previous year.

"If you want to kill people, why not use the tools of your own trade like a plague or a disease or something? Why go into an area which you're clearly unqualified in?"

Channel Seven's head of security, Scott McIlveena, said Monis was "very vocal" and "passionate". Mr McIlveena decided the presenters should not do their usual segment outdoors in Martin Place that morning.

Two weeks later Monis returned. As the presenters signed autographs, Monis "came up the stairs screaming", Mr McIlveena said.

"He rushed at the talent screaming 'you are killers and terrorists'."

Mr McIlveena said he put his arms out to stop Monis getting closer. Monis wanted an apology for content he said the program had aired that referenced Gold Coast doctor and wrongly accused terrorist Muhamed Haneef.

"He said, 'David Koch is the boss. He is a killer and a terrorist'," Mr McIlveena said.

"I couldn't reason with him. He definitely wanted an apology."

Monis then applied for permission to stage a protest in Martin Place on July 4, 2008. Mr McIlveena said NSW police handled it and he did not see Monis again until the siege five-and-a-half years later.

Earlier on Tuesday, veteran Channel Seven journalist David Richardson described his investigation into Monis for a program that aired on Today Tonight in 2009.

Starting with the website sheikharon.com Richardson tracked down various companies and addresses associated with Monis, who also referred to himself as Ayatollah Manteghi.

After the program went to air, Monis complained to Channel Seven and then to broadcast watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority, however the complaint was dismissed.

The inquest on Tuesday also heard from a young woman who was courted by Monis more than a decade before the Lindt cafe siege and who declined his offer of marriage because he was secretive and odd.

Amanda Morsy told the hearing she knew Monis as Michael Hayson, a 30-something accountant from Romania who drove several luxury cars.

In 2003 she and Monis went on several dates, although they were always accompanied by one or more of her friends or relatives.

She said he drove a fleet of luxury cars including a Mercedes, convertible Peugeot and a Jeep with the personalised numberplates MNH001, MNH002 and MNH003.

He didn't talk about his family or friends or religion but she had been introduced to him by a friend as a fellow Muslim.

She described him as "secretive", "very reserved" and "formal" and wanting to "fit in".

Ms Morsy said she accompanied her mother to a spiritual healing session run by Monis out of his home.

Eventually he asked her mother if he could marry Ms Morsy. Her mother said her daughter was too young and not ready for marriage. However, Ms Morsy said she and her mother both felt uncomfortable in his presence.

"I thought there was something odd about him. It was just an intuition," Ms Morsy said.

Soon after she and Monis went their separate ways.

The inquest continues on Wednesday.