UN TO GUARD MCKEVITT RIGHTS IN TRIAL
UN to guard McKevitt rights in trial
THE United Nations has agreed to monitor ongoing court action involving convicted Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt.
The Co Louth man, right, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment in the Republic in 2003 for membership of the organisation and directing terrorism.
An appeal against his conviction is ongoing.
He is also one of five men being sued by families of people killed in Real IRA bomb attack on Omagh in August 1998 in a civil case.
His solicitor Kevin Winters last night confirmed that UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Ambeyi Ligabo has agreed to monitor the court proceedings.
"The special rapporteur has agreed to our request that they monitor the ongoing legal action over our concerns at the evidence used to convict our client in 2003," he said.
"We do not believe that Mr McKevitt received a fair trial.
"The primary evidence against him was that of paid MI5 and FBI informer David Rupert who had a vested interest in testifying as he was set to receive $5m and had also agreed a $1m book deal.
"We have serious concerns that vital police evidence that contradicted Rupert's evidence against my client was withheld by the prosecution until his evidence had been heard by the court."
THE United Nations has agreed to monitor ongoing court action involving convicted Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt.
The Co Louth man, right, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment in the Republic in 2003 for membership of the organisation and directing terrorism.
An appeal against his conviction is ongoing.
He is also one of five men being sued by families of people killed in Real IRA bomb attack on Omagh in August 1998 in a civil case.
His solicitor Kevin Winters last night confirmed that UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Ambeyi Ligabo has agreed to monitor the court proceedings.
"The special rapporteur has agreed to our request that they monitor the ongoing legal action over our concerns at the evidence used to convict our client in 2003," he said.
"We do not believe that Mr McKevitt received a fair trial.
"The primary evidence against him was that of paid MI5 and FBI informer David Rupert who had a vested interest in testifying as he was set to receive $5m and had also agreed a $1m book deal.
"We have serious concerns that vital police evidence that contradicted Rupert's evidence against my client was withheld by the prosecution until his evidence had been heard by the court."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0949
Published Date: 14-Jun-08
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