A man who worked as a spy for the FBI is to be the main prosecution witness against Mr Michael McKevitt, who faces charges of directing terrorism, the Special Criminal Court was told today.
Mr George Birmingham SC, prosecuting, named the agent as Mr David Rupert.
The State would oppose bail for McKevitt on the grounds that he would commit further offences if it was granted, he said. The defence had indicated that it wanted documentation to assess the strength of the case against McKevitt before applying for bail, he went on.
The defence had already been given an amount of documentation, apart from a statement from Mr Rupert.
The FBI agent had furnished a statement, but it was not yet ready in the form in which it would appear in the book of evidence, Mr Birmingham said.
Once the statement was complete it would be furnished to the defence.
Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, for Mr McKevitt, said the defence would ask to see all statements made by Mr Rupert.
Mr Mc Kevitt (51) of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, was remanded in custody until May 14th.
He is charged with being a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Oglaigh na hEireann, between August 29th 1999, and March 28th 2001.
He is also charged with having directed the activities of the same organisation with the State between August 29th 1999 and October 23rd 2000.
If convicted, McKevitt would face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under legislation introduced in the wake of the 1998 Omagh bombing, which was carried out by the Real IRA.
PA