THE TRIAL of a Louth man accused of trying to buy weapons and explosives in Lithuania for the Real IRA resumed in Vilnius yesterday with defence attempts to get the prosecutor dismissed.
Michael Campbell (36), from Dundalk, was arrested in a sting operation in Lithuania in January 2008 involving the Lithuanian authorities in co-operation, it is believed, with security services in Ireland and Britain.
He was arrested when allegedly negotiating an arms purchase with Lithuanian agents posing as arms dealers.
Mr Campbell's lawyer, Irena Botyriene, told reporters she had asked the judge to dismiss the prosecutor, Gedgaudas Norkunas, for violating her client's rights by allowing police to interrogate him without a lawyer present.
Vilnius Regional Court did not permit reporters to attend yesterday's session, the first since both sides made opening statements two months ago.
However, the court issued a statement saying it was considering both Ms Botyriene's complaint and a rival application from prosecutors, who want authorities not to permit Mr Campbell to make telephone calls back to Ireland.
Mr Campbell faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Mr Campbell, who has been in custody in Lithuania since his arrest, said he would make a detailed statement later in the trial, which is expected to last for several months.