An application by the alleged leader of the Real IRA, Michael McKevitt, for leave to challenge to the further disclosure of documents relating to Mr David Rupert has been refused by the Supreme Court.
FBI agent Mr Rupert is one of the main prosecution witness in the forthcoming trial of McKevitt on charges of directing terrorism and IRA membership.
Today's ruling means that this trial can proceed before the non-jury Special Criminal Court (SCC) this June.
McKevitt (51), with an address at Blackrock, Dundalk, but currently in custody in Portlaoise Prison, is the first person in the State to be charged with the offence of directing terrorism. He is charged with doing so between August 29th 1991 and March 28th 2001.
After a four-day hearing last year, the SCC refused an application by McKevitt for further disclosure of documents, particularly material in the possession of the British Security Services and FBI relating to the credibility of Mr Rupert.
McKevitt has received substantial documents relating to Rupert but his lawyers were unhappy both with the manner in which that material was disclosed and the extent of it.
