Defence lawyers will tomorrow try to have a former British spy inside the IRA ordered to appear as a witness at the trial of alleged Omagh bomber Sean Hoey.
An application to summons the ex-agent, who uses the pseudonym Kevin Fulton, will be heard at the Crown Court in Belfast.
Fulton has refused requests by Mr Hoey's legal representatives to appear as a witness, claiming it would threaten his personal safety.
Mr Hoey (37) an electrician from Jonesborough, south Armagh, denies 58 paramilitary-related charges involving a series of bomb attacks.
They include the murder of 29 people in the August 1998 "Real IRA" Omagh attack.
A key part of the prosecution's case against him is that the timer power units used in all the devices were constructed by the same person.
But Fulton - who worked undercover in the IRA at the height of its military campaign - could prove that others were capable of making the bomb parts, Mr Hoey's lawyers believe.
The ex-agent lives in hiding at a secret UK location while he sues the British government over his severance package.
Defence solicitor Peter Corrigan met him about a month ago. It is understood that Fulton rejected his request to be called as a defence witness at the non-jury trial, which is now under way at Belfast Crown Court. The former spy is insisting that both his and his family's safety could be put at risk.
But Mr Justice Weatherup, who is not the trial judge, will be asked to issue a witness summons against him and three unidentified others. In an affidavit, Mr Corrigan says he believes that Fulton could assist by providing evidence, particularly over those involved in constructing the power units.
PA