SECURITY RISK REQUEST FOR OMAGH BOMB SPY
Security risk request for Omagh bomb spy
Judge asks PSNI for safety assessment on US agent
A JUDGE has requested that the PSNI be asked for advice of the security risk if the American "superspy" David Rupert attends the civil action being brought by the Omagh bomb victims against those suspected of carrying out the atrocity.
Mr Justice Morgan made the suggestion in relation to an application to the court to allow the US trucking company boss to give evidence in the case via video link from the US.
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt is being sued for �14 million along with four others suspected of carrying out the 1998 atrocity in which 29 people were killed.
They are Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy.
Mr Rupert was a major witness in a trial in Dublin last year which resulted in McKevitt, from Blackrock in Co Louth, being jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of running the Real IRA.
The High Court had previously been told that Rupert is living in fear of his life in a secret place in the US under the protection of the American authorities.
At yesterday's hearing, McKevitt's lawyer, Frank O'Donoghue QC, told the court that in Rupert's affidavit there was no mention that he was in fear of his life.
Mr Justice Morgan asked if the PSNI had been consulted for its view on the extent of the security risk to Mr Rupert.
Counsel for the Omagh claimants, Lord Brennan, said that no suggestion to do so had been made before. He said Mr Rupert was under extreme pressure and it was felt that the risk to him would be enhanced after the trial in Dublin.
Mr Justice Morgan made an order for a hearing into whether the defendants could produce the transcripts from the trial in Dublin.
Adjourning the case to a date to be fixed, he said he was keen to get to the next stage of setting out the summary of evidence.
Judge asks PSNI for safety assessment on US agent
A JUDGE has requested that the PSNI be asked for advice of the security risk if the American "superspy" David Rupert attends the civil action being brought by the Omagh bomb victims against those suspected of carrying out the atrocity.
Mr Justice Morgan made the suggestion in relation to an application to the court to allow the US trucking company boss to give evidence in the case via video link from the US.
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt is being sued for �14 million along with four others suspected of carrying out the 1998 atrocity in which 29 people were killed.
They are Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy.
Mr Rupert was a major witness in a trial in Dublin last year which resulted in McKevitt, from Blackrock in Co Louth, being jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of running the Real IRA.
The High Court had previously been told that Rupert is living in fear of his life in a secret place in the US under the protection of the American authorities.
At yesterday's hearing, McKevitt's lawyer, Frank O'Donoghue QC, told the court that in Rupert's affidavit there was no mention that he was in fear of his life.
Mr Justice Morgan asked if the PSNI had been consulted for its view on the extent of the security risk to Mr Rupert.
Counsel for the Omagh claimants, Lord Brennan, said that no suggestion to do so had been made before. He said Mr Rupert was under extreme pressure and it was felt that the risk to him would be enhanced after the trial in Dublin.
Mr Justice Morgan made an order for a hearing into whether the defendants could produce the transcripts from the trial in Dublin.
Adjourning the case to a date to be fixed, he said he was keen to get to the next stage of setting out the summary of evidence.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/575
Published Date: 30-Nov-04
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