The Special Criminal Court today rejected an application by lawyers for Mr John Gilligan, the man accused of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, to stop his trial.
Mr Gilligan's lawyers had submitted that he has no case to answer in relation to the murder and other drugs and firearms charges.
They argued it would be unsafe to continue the trial because the evidence of protected witnesses Charles Bowden and Russell Warren was "inherently unreliable".
But today Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan, presiding, said that to accede to the defence application at this stage in the trial would be to adjudicate on matters of fact and the credibility of witnesses.
Following the court's ruling, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, counsel for Mr Gilligan, said the defence may be calling some evidence. The court adjourned the trial until tomorrow.
It was the 37th day of the trial of Mr John Gilligan (48), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin; Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare; and HM Prison Belmarsh, London, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sunday Independent crime reporter Ms Veronica Guerin (37) at Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin on June 26th, 1996.
Mr Gilligan also denies 15 other counts alleging the importation of cannabis and firearms and ammunition offences.
The prosecution has claimed Mr Gilligan was "in control and command" of a criminal gang that imported and distributed large amounts of cannabis and that he organised the murder of Ms Guerin.