MCKEVITT TRIAL BID TO KEEP SECRETS
McKevitt trial: bid to keep secrets
THE British Government is to make an application for certain secret material to be withheld from defence lawyers in the Dublin trial of the alleged leader of the Real IRA.
When the trial begins in October, Britain will make a formal application to Dublin's Special Criminal Court for the sensitive papers to be kept from defence lawyers acting for Michael McKevitt, who is to stand trial on charges of directing terrorism.
Alleged Real IRA leader McKevitt was among five alleged terrorist suspects who were served with writs last week by the families of the Omagh victims.
McKevitt is accused of directing terrorism between August 29,1999, and March 28, 2001. He is also charged with membership of an illegal organisation.
British concerns centre on the fact that anonymity may not be granted to any security-service witnesses or agents who might be required to give evidence in the trial.
Government officials in London, therefore, are requiring the Irish courts to protect secret intelligence sources but, if this is refused, MI5 may be reluctant to produce any material in court.
This means that, if the trial is compromised as a result, security services in Britain would have revealed a valuable agent for nothing.
THE British Government is to make an application for certain secret material to be withheld from defence lawyers in the Dublin trial of the alleged leader of the Real IRA.
When the trial begins in October, Britain will make a formal application to Dublin's Special Criminal Court for the sensitive papers to be kept from defence lawyers acting for Michael McKevitt, who is to stand trial on charges of directing terrorism.
Alleged Real IRA leader McKevitt was among five alleged terrorist suspects who were served with writs last week by the families of the Omagh victims.
McKevitt is accused of directing terrorism between August 29,1999, and March 28, 2001. He is also charged with membership of an illegal organisation.
British concerns centre on the fact that anonymity may not be granted to any security-service witnesses or agents who might be required to give evidence in the trial.
Government officials in London, therefore, are requiring the Irish courts to protect secret intelligence sources but, if this is refused, MI5 may be reluctant to produce any material in court.
This means that, if the trial is compromised as a result, security services in Britain would have revealed a valuable agent for nothing.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/437
Published Date: 02-Aug-02
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