Alleged "Real IRA" leader Mr Michael McKevitt refused to attend his trial today, the day after sacking his legal team and announcing he would take no further part in the case.
He remained in his cell at the Special Criminal Court despite requests by the judges for him to come up.
An officer who accompanied Mr McKevitt from Portlaoise Prison to Dublin said that, when he asked him to come up from his cell this morning, the 53-year-old refused.
Presiding judge Richard Johnson instructed the officer to tell Mr McKevitt the court was ordering him to appear but said that under no circumstances should force be used.
However, the defendant still refused to come up into the courtroom.
The three judges ruled the trial should go ahead without the presence of Mr McKevitt but said a transcript of the proceedings would be delivered to him daily.
Yesterday, Mr McKevitt sacked his legal team, who then filed out of the court, leaving witnesses to give evidence unchallenged.
He accused the British and Irish security services of tampering with and holding back evidence crucial to his defence.
But even though Mr McKevitt rejected the opportunity to appoint a new defence team, the judges ordered him to attend the rest of the trial.
Mr McKevitt, of Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, denies being a member of the "Real IRA" and directing the republican terror group.
PA