An FBI agent due to give evidence against a man charged with terrorist activities in connection with ‘Real IRA’ set out to infiltrate the leadership of the terrorist organisation, a court heard today.
Mr George Birmingham SC told the Special Criminal Court that FBI agent Mr David Ruperthad "set out to infiltrate at the highest level the leadership of the Real IRA. That is an act of bravery and courage."
Mr Michael Mc Kevitt (51), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth is charged that between August 29, 1999 and March 28, 2001, within the State, he was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann and that he directed theactivities of the same organisation.
Mr Rupert, who worked for the FBI and British intelligence, is the chief prosecution witness in the forthcoming trial of Mr Michael McKevitt who is the first person charged in the Republic with directing terrorist activity.
Last December the court provisionally fixed June 4th next as the date for Mr McKevitt's trial which is expected to last at least four weeks. But the defence has sought disclosure of material from the prosecution relating to Mr Rupert and have said it is unlikely the trial will go ahead on June 4th.
Mr Birmingham told the court today that contact was made with the FBI concerning two criminal investigations that Mr Rupert was the subject of and this material has been given to the defence.
He said that one channel remained to be explored with the British authorities and the prosecution wanted to be satisfied that the material was relevant before furnishing it to the defence.
The court was told earlier that the defence has already been given more than 2,000 e-mails relating to the case by the prosecution.
Mr McKevitt was remanded in custody until May 16th.
PA