A former alleged leader of the Real IRA group an FBI
agent who infiltrated his organisation a number oftimes, a court heard today.
Mr Michael McKevitt, a 51-year-old Co Louth man chargedwith directing the activities of an illegal organisationover a period of 14 months, is alleged to have asked MrDavid Rupert to acquire equipment for the terroristorganisation during their meetings between October1998 and August 2000.
Mr Rupert, who the prosecution describe as a paid agentof both the FBI and British intelligence, is currentlyin the US but is to be the central prosecution in thetrial, the Special Criminal Court heard.
Mr Michael McKevitt, of Blackrock, Co Louth, is accusedbeing a member of an unlawful organisation styling itselfthe Irish Republican Army between August 1999 and March2001. In addition, it is alleged he directed the RealIRA between August 1999 and October 2000.
At a previous hearing, MR George Birmingham SC,prosecuting, told the court that Mr Rupert successfullyinfiltrated the leadership of the Real IRA andcommunicated with the FBI and MI5 via e-mail.
Mr Birmingham said there were a "vast number" of e-mailswhich had to be edited before they could be madeavailable to Mr McKevitt's defence because theyincluded some material that would put peoples' lives atrisk.
Mr McKevitt's legal team today told the court they wereseeking access to 2,140 e-mails, letters and memos,along with financial documents, mobile phone and laptoprecords and other details of his dealings with the FBIand British intelligence.
The court heard that Mr Rupert's credibility would beat issue, with the defence describing him as anaccomplice and informant.
PA