Alleged "Real IRA" leader Mr Michael McKevitt sacked his legal team today and declared he will not take any further part in his trial for directing terrorism.
Mr McKevitt told the Special Criminal Court he had been forced to sack his barristers following two failed attempts to have the hearing halted.
Three judges had rejected an attempt by the defence to stop the trial on the grounds their case had been irreparably damaged due to the non-disclosure of crucial surveillance documents they claimed could have cleared the accused.
But after all his legal representatives walked out of the courtroom Mr McKevitt (53) stood up and said: "I will not participate any further in this political show trial and am now withdrawing myself with my dignity intact".
Lawyers for Mr McKevitt had made an application to stop his trial, claiming the case had been "irreparably prejudiced".
The said a number of documents had not been disclosed until very recently, denying them the chance to put certain matters arising from them to FBI agent Mr David Rupert when he was in the witness box.
Mr Hugh Hartnett for the defence said: "This information which we got late in the day would have changed our view and tactics. It is extraordinary that this can have happened".
Mr McKevitt, of Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, denies directing the "Real IRA" and being a member of the organisation. The trial was adjourned until this morning while the three judges considered Mr Hartnett's application.
PA
