RIRA CHIEF SET UP LINKS WITH LIBYA AND TAMIL TIGERS
RIRA chief 'set up links with Libya and Tamil Tigers'
BY ALAN ERWIN
newseditor@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
MICHAEL McKevitt had established links with Tamil Tiger rebel troops as part of his plan for a new terrorist campaign, it was claimed in the High Court.
The convicted Real IRA chief was also confident of securing financial backing from a foreign government, according to the FBI spy who infiltrated the ranks of dissident republicans.
A statement from David Rupert read out at the Omagh bomb civil action in Belfast alleged that McKevitt confided in him about being smuggled in and out of Ireland on the floor of a lorry used to bring in weapons purchased abroad.
The undercover agent said McKevitt was particularly keen on networking with the Chechen forces.
He also spoke of contacts in Libya, mentioning Colonel Gaddafi (right), and recent links with the Tamil Tiger guerrillas in Sri Lanka, the court heard.
According to Rupert, representatives from the Real IRA-affiliated 32 County Sovereignty movement were sent to Switzerland at one stage with instructions to make contact with Palestinians. McKevitt was said to be disappointed when the mission failed.
Later, Mr Rupert alleged McKevitt told him money was becoming an issue and that a link with another government was needed.
After asking how this could be developed, he claimed: "I was amazed the reply was so simple - 'they would come knocking on the door'." The American trucking boss-turned-spy was a key prosecution witness when McKevitt was convicted of directing terrorism in 2003 and jailed for 20 years. Now on a witness protection programme, his testimony and emails to handlers during the years undercover were disclosed to the court by lawyers for the families seeking damages.
In an email sent after allegedly meeting McKevitt for the first time in a Co Monaghan hotel, one year after the bombing, Mr Rupert wrote: "Big day. If I was worried about it being too slow when I got here it all changed today." The agent went on to claim the paramilitary boss, said to be trying to unite dissident factions for a renewed campaign, talked about running training camps and having taken 98% of the rival Continuity IRA's membership.
Referring to Omagh, McKevitt allegedly described it as a joint RIRA-CIRA operation, with the Continuity responsible for about 80% of it.
The ceasefire after the massacre was purely a tactical ploy to get the heat off them, Mr Rupert said he was told.
But it was claimed a renewed offensive was being planned with a first strike, possibly on British troops or London's financial district, which would overshadow Omagh.
He also alleged McKevitt told him his organisation had taken the Provisional IRA's procurement, operation and manufacturing expertise.
The trial continues.
BY ALAN ERWIN
newseditor@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
MICHAEL McKevitt had established links with Tamil Tiger rebel troops as part of his plan for a new terrorist campaign, it was claimed in the High Court.
The convicted Real IRA chief was also confident of securing financial backing from a foreign government, according to the FBI spy who infiltrated the ranks of dissident republicans.
A statement from David Rupert read out at the Omagh bomb civil action in Belfast alleged that McKevitt confided in him about being smuggled in and out of Ireland on the floor of a lorry used to bring in weapons purchased abroad.
The undercover agent said McKevitt was particularly keen on networking with the Chechen forces.
He also spoke of contacts in Libya, mentioning Colonel Gaddafi (right), and recent links with the Tamil Tiger guerrillas in Sri Lanka, the court heard.
According to Rupert, representatives from the Real IRA-affiliated 32 County Sovereignty movement were sent to Switzerland at one stage with instructions to make contact with Palestinians. McKevitt was said to be disappointed when the mission failed.
Later, Mr Rupert alleged McKevitt told him money was becoming an issue and that a link with another government was needed.
After asking how this could be developed, he claimed: "I was amazed the reply was so simple - 'they would come knocking on the door'." The American trucking boss-turned-spy was a key prosecution witness when McKevitt was convicted of directing terrorism in 2003 and jailed for 20 years. Now on a witness protection programme, his testimony and emails to handlers during the years undercover were disclosed to the court by lawyers for the families seeking damages.
In an email sent after allegedly meeting McKevitt for the first time in a Co Monaghan hotel, one year after the bombing, Mr Rupert wrote: "Big day. If I was worried about it being too slow when I got here it all changed today." The agent went on to claim the paramilitary boss, said to be trying to unite dissident factions for a renewed campaign, talked about running training camps and having taken 98% of the rival Continuity IRA's membership.
Referring to Omagh, McKevitt allegedly described it as a joint RIRA-CIRA operation, with the Continuity responsible for about 80% of it.
The ceasefire after the massacre was purely a tactical ploy to get the heat off them, Mr Rupert said he was told.
But it was claimed a renewed offensive was being planned with a first strike, possibly on British troops or London's financial district, which would overshadow Omagh.
He also alleged McKevitt told him his organisation had taken the Provisional IRA's procurement, operation and manufacturing expertise.
The trial continues.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1101
Published Date: 25-Jun-08
Related Images
