Security agencies from three different countries are currently working on material for the forthcoming trial of the alleged leader of the Real IRA, the Special Criminal Court was told today.
Mr Michael McKevitt is charged with membership of an illegal organisation and with directing terrorism.
Today Mr McKevitt was further remanded in custody until October 2nd during a brief appearance in court.
His counsel Mr Stephen McCann BL said the defence are still waiting for disclosure of all material before a trial date can be fixed. Mr Mc Cann said there may be legal argument over preliminary issues when the disclosure material is ready.
State counsel Mr Brendan Grehan BL said the book of evidence has been served on Mr McKevitt but that the disclosure material is "quite large".He said it involved three different security agencies from three different jurisdictions. Mr Grehan said while a lot of work has been done on disclosure, it was not yet complete and it was hoped it would be ready by early October.
An earlier court hearing was told the disclosure material includes statements by an FBI agent Mr David Rupert, correspondence, memoranda, 2,140 e mails and records of Mr Rupert's dealings with the FBI and British Intelligence.
The court has been told that Mr Rupert, who worked for the FBI and British intelligence, was observed by gardaí meeting Mr Michael McKevitt on a number of occasions. The court also heard that he successfully infiltrated the Real IRA leadership and attended their Army Council meetings.
The court has also heard that Mr McKevitt allegedly met Mr Rupert over a two year period and asked him to acquire equipment for the dissident republicans.
Mr Michael McKevitt (51) of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth is charged that between August 29th, 1999 and March 28th, 2001, within the State, he was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann and that he directed the activities of the same organisation.
It is the first prosecution for directing terrorism under new legislation brought in after the 1998 Omagh bombing and anyone convicted of the offence faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.