SUPER SPY' MAY GIVE EVIDENCE VIA VIDEO LINK
Super spy' may give evidence via video link
AN AMERICAN 'super spy' who infiltrated the Real IRA is almost certain to be allowed to give evidence by video link when the multi-million pound Omagh bomb case is heard next year.
David Rupert's life would be at risk if he had to attend court in person, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
Mr Justice Morgan said it was appropriate to make a live video link order in light of a PSNI assessment that there would be a severe risk to Mr Rupert if he appeared in person.
But the judge said he would hold off making such an order for 28 days, to allow Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell the opportunity to make representations to the court.
They are not legally represented, unlike the other defendants, in the �14 million-pound claim for compensation brought by relatives of the 29 people killed and the scores injured in the 1998 RIRA bombing.
McKevitt, 55, from Blackrock, Co Louth, is serving a 20-year sentence in Portlaoise after double agent Mr Rupert gave evidence that led to his conviction as the leader of the RIRA.
A year ago, the court was told that Mr Rupert was living in fear in a secret place in the USA under the protection of the FBI, as his evidence would amount to a "devastating expose" of the RIRA.
"His photograph has been put on a website to try and obtain information about his whereabouts," said Lord Brennan QC, who is leading the legal team for the Omagh claimants.
The other defendants in the civil compensation case are Seamus McKenna, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy.
Brian Fee QC, for McKenna, said it would appear that Rupert never met his client and therefore, it was unlikely he would be giving evidence against him.
Barrister Brett Lockhart, for the Omagh claimants, said it was not proposed that Rupert would give evidence against McKenna or Daly and the situation regarding Murphy had still to be determined.
AN AMERICAN 'super spy' who infiltrated the Real IRA is almost certain to be allowed to give evidence by video link when the multi-million pound Omagh bomb case is heard next year.
David Rupert's life would be at risk if he had to attend court in person, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
Mr Justice Morgan said it was appropriate to make a live video link order in light of a PSNI assessment that there would be a severe risk to Mr Rupert if he appeared in person.
But the judge said he would hold off making such an order for 28 days, to allow Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell the opportunity to make representations to the court.
They are not legally represented, unlike the other defendants, in the �14 million-pound claim for compensation brought by relatives of the 29 people killed and the scores injured in the 1998 RIRA bombing.
McKevitt, 55, from Blackrock, Co Louth, is serving a 20-year sentence in Portlaoise after double agent Mr Rupert gave evidence that led to his conviction as the leader of the RIRA.
A year ago, the court was told that Mr Rupert was living in fear in a secret place in the USA under the protection of the FBI, as his evidence would amount to a "devastating expose" of the RIRA.
"His photograph has been put on a website to try and obtain information about his whereabouts," said Lord Brennan QC, who is leading the legal team for the Omagh claimants.
The other defendants in the civil compensation case are Seamus McKenna, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy.
Brian Fee QC, for McKenna, said it would appear that Rupert never met his client and therefore, it was unlikely he would be giving evidence against him.
Barrister Brett Lockhart, for the Omagh claimants, said it was not proposed that Rupert would give evidence against McKenna or Daly and the situation regarding Murphy had still to be determined.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/612
Published Date: 30-Jun-05
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