AGENT CLAIMS MCKEVITT PLANNED HI-TECH BRITISH TERROR OFFENSIVE
Agent claims McKevitt 'planned hi-tech British terror offensive'
MICHAEL MCKEVITT was plotting to begin a new hi-tech terror offensive in Britain, it was alleged in the High Court yesterday.
The jailed Real IRA leader was said to have authorised the first attacks and claimed to have perfected a detonation system using mobile phones, according to the FBI agent who helped convict him.
Emails David Rupert sent to his handlers after agreeing to infiltrate dissident republicans were disclosed at the Omagh bomb civil action.
In one, the American trucking boss-turned-spy claimed McKevitt told him they had developed a method where a bomb in London or Belfast could be detonated by phone from Cork.
Even though Mr Rupert - who is on a witness protection programme - has not attended the hearing in
Belfast where McKevitt and four other men are facing a multi-million pound compensation claim from relatives from some of those killed in the 1998 Omagh atrocity, his statement and undercover correspondence were read out.
In them he claims to have been accepted into the dissidents' inner circle after first meeting McKevitt a year on from the bombing.
In one email Mr Rupert told of a meeting with McKevitt, an electronics expert and a bomb maker which turned into a "think tank" where they listed what they needed.
This included mercury switches, lap tops to send bomb warnings, marine magnets, voice modulators and night vision goggles to detect any bugs on their cars.
"He went on to talk about certain reporters that were very loyal to him," he claimed.
These journalists fed McKevitt information on the location of speaking platforms where Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness would be, the court heard.
Rupert's email went on to say McKevitt talked about how weapons were cheaper in Europe than he had ever known them, with a purchasing trip to Serbia the year before mentioned.
"The biggest problem is the ports are so tight to do with their drugs it's f****** up their transportation," the undercover agent reported.
In another correspondence he claimed he was picked up and taken to the McKevitts' home near Dundalk to work on their computer.
Mr Rupert alleged he was told that a major hit would be launched soon, with the "green light" already given. The first targets were to be big and in England, it was claimed.
McKevitt, left, denies responsibility for Omagh along with Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly.
He allegedly declared himself interested in any ideas for the campaign, regardless of how off-the-wall, according to Mr Rupert.
He claimed a strike on underground sewers was suggested but that any mass loss of life would leave them with "nowhere to hide".
Another conversation turned to an ex-French Foreign Legionnaire who was said to be already in place in Boston, the court heard.
Mr Rupert alleged he was to be put in charge of this operative who could be brought in for assassination attempt on someone of the status of then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
At one stage he claimed to have been told the dissidents had up to four so-called sleepers in place, with a number of Provisionals also moving over without officially declaring their new allegiance.
Reflecting on his alleged role as an infiltrator, Mr Rupert at one point remarked: "I think my hair is a little whiter now. But one more meeting will get me through it."
The trial continues.
MICHAEL MCKEVITT was plotting to begin a new hi-tech terror offensive in Britain, it was alleged in the High Court yesterday.
The jailed Real IRA leader was said to have authorised the first attacks and claimed to have perfected a detonation system using mobile phones, according to the FBI agent who helped convict him.
Emails David Rupert sent to his handlers after agreeing to infiltrate dissident republicans were disclosed at the Omagh bomb civil action.
In one, the American trucking boss-turned-spy claimed McKevitt told him they had developed a method where a bomb in London or Belfast could be detonated by phone from Cork.
Even though Mr Rupert - who is on a witness protection programme - has not attended the hearing in
Belfast where McKevitt and four other men are facing a multi-million pound compensation claim from relatives from some of those killed in the 1998 Omagh atrocity, his statement and undercover correspondence were read out.
In them he claims to have been accepted into the dissidents' inner circle after first meeting McKevitt a year on from the bombing.
In one email Mr Rupert told of a meeting with McKevitt, an electronics expert and a bomb maker which turned into a "think tank" where they listed what they needed.
This included mercury switches, lap tops to send bomb warnings, marine magnets, voice modulators and night vision goggles to detect any bugs on their cars.
"He went on to talk about certain reporters that were very loyal to him," he claimed.
These journalists fed McKevitt information on the location of speaking platforms where Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness would be, the court heard.
Rupert's email went on to say McKevitt talked about how weapons were cheaper in Europe than he had ever known them, with a purchasing trip to Serbia the year before mentioned.
"The biggest problem is the ports are so tight to do with their drugs it's f****** up their transportation," the undercover agent reported.
In another correspondence he claimed he was picked up and taken to the McKevitts' home near Dundalk to work on their computer.
Mr Rupert alleged he was told that a major hit would be launched soon, with the "green light" already given. The first targets were to be big and in England, it was claimed.
McKevitt, left, denies responsibility for Omagh along with Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly.
He allegedly declared himself interested in any ideas for the campaign, regardless of how off-the-wall, according to Mr Rupert.
He claimed a strike on underground sewers was suggested but that any mass loss of life would leave them with "nowhere to hide".
Another conversation turned to an ex-French Foreign Legionnaire who was said to be already in place in Boston, the court heard.
Mr Rupert alleged he was to be put in charge of this operative who could be brought in for assassination attempt on someone of the status of then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
At one stage he claimed to have been told the dissidents had up to four so-called sleepers in place, with a number of Provisionals also moving over without officially declaring their new allegiance.
Reflecting on his alleged role as an infiltrator, Mr Rupert at one point remarked: "I think my hair is a little whiter now. But one more meeting will get me through it."
The trial continues.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0953
Published Date: 24-Jun-08
Related Images
