The Special Criminal Court has provisionally fixed a date for the trial of a man accused of leading the "Real IRA".
The court fixed the date despite an objection from Mr Michael McKevitt's counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, that the defence were not yet in a position to say they will be ready for trial on any date.
Mr Hartnett said the defence is still trying to collate all the information supplied to them by the prosecution. He said it may be necessary to bring witnesses over from the US.
But Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said the court would provisionally fix the trial date for June 4th next year and would give the defence liberty to apply in January for a new date if he is not ready to go ahead in June.
Prosecuting counsel Mr George Birmingham SC told the court last week the trial will last at least four weeks.
Mr Michael McKevitt (51) of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged that between August 29th, 1999, and March 28th, 2001, he was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann and that he directed its activities.
Mr McKevitt was remanded in custody.
PA