FBI STANCE THREATENS TRIAL OF ALLEGED REAL IRA BOSS
FBI stance threatens trial of alleged Real IRA boss
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE reluctance of the FBI to provide information on the so-called 'star' witness, David Rupert, in the trial in the Republic of alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt could cause the state's case to collapse. Rupert, a US citizen and FBI operative, is thought to have won favour with the Real IRA leadership after intimating that he could raise a lot of money for the dissidents in the US. However, he was a paid agent for both
the FBI and Britain's MI5.
Rupert, who formerly lived in the Bundoran area, has admitted he did a dummy 'bomb run' for the Continuity IRA to Omagh just weeks before the Carnival Day atrocity on August 15, 1998, which claimed 31 lives, including two unborn children. He is the key witness against McKevitt who is charged with membership of the Real IRA and directing the activities of that organisation which carried out the Omagh bombing.
In Dublin on Tuesday, the Central Criminal Court instructed state solicitors to stress to the US authorities the importance of information relating to the trial. It warned that if the information is not provided, the whole trial could collapse.
McKevitt's defence team questioned the integrity of Rupert as a witness, given the fact that he had been investigated by the FBI in respect of two separate criminal offences smuggling and money wire transfers although he was not prosecuted for either alleged offence.
Describing Rupert as a "paid agent of the FBI and British Intelligence", McKevitt's Counsel Hugh Hartnett SC, suggested that Rupert had gone bankrupt in the United States in "dishonest circumstances". Mr Hartnett commented that if he was dishonest in business, he might also be a dishonest witness.
Rupert's claim that he carried out dummy runs prior to the Omagh bombing, is a further indication that MI5 knew of the bombing well in advance of August 15, 1998. Other Special Branch informers have intimated that they too warned the RUC of an impending attack.
Indeed, the evidence of such informers led to the Police Ombudsman's inquiry which found that two prior warnings to CID was not passed on to police on the ground. These warnings did not include Rupert's claim that he also warned his FBI/MI5 handlers of Continuity IRA plans to bomb either Omagh or Derry. It is known that the Continuity IRA collaborated with the Real IRA at that time.
The McKevitt case has already opened a window on the covert activities of both the British and US intelligence agencies in Ireland. It has raised local and wider fears that that passing on of information which could save lives takes second place to 'counter-terrorism' activities in the intelligence services, including RUC Special Branch.
Rupert received a basic $33,000 per annum from the FBI and an annual $15,000 bonus through a bank in Sligo and others in London and Cayman Islands.
It is believed that one of the victims of the Omagh bombing described a man fitting Rupert's description - 6ft 4", about 20 stones, swarthy skin as having been in a shop in the Market Street area on more than one occasion prior to the bombing.
The case against McKevitt was due to proceed on June 4. However, the defence counsel is still awaiting certain documents and information from the FBI relating to Rupert.
The presiding judge in the case, Justice Barr, said the documents were fundamental to the defence and crucial if the trial were to proceed. McKevitt denies all of the charges.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE reluctance of the FBI to provide information on the so-called 'star' witness, David Rupert, in the trial in the Republic of alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt could cause the state's case to collapse. Rupert, a US citizen and FBI operative, is thought to have won favour with the Real IRA leadership after intimating that he could raise a lot of money for the dissidents in the US. However, he was a paid agent for both
the FBI and Britain's MI5.
Rupert, who formerly lived in the Bundoran area, has admitted he did a dummy 'bomb run' for the Continuity IRA to Omagh just weeks before the Carnival Day atrocity on August 15, 1998, which claimed 31 lives, including two unborn children. He is the key witness against McKevitt who is charged with membership of the Real IRA and directing the activities of that organisation which carried out the Omagh bombing.
In Dublin on Tuesday, the Central Criminal Court instructed state solicitors to stress to the US authorities the importance of information relating to the trial. It warned that if the information is not provided, the whole trial could collapse.
McKevitt's defence team questioned the integrity of Rupert as a witness, given the fact that he had been investigated by the FBI in respect of two separate criminal offences smuggling and money wire transfers although he was not prosecuted for either alleged offence.
Describing Rupert as a "paid agent of the FBI and British Intelligence", McKevitt's Counsel Hugh Hartnett SC, suggested that Rupert had gone bankrupt in the United States in "dishonest circumstances". Mr Hartnett commented that if he was dishonest in business, he might also be a dishonest witness.
Rupert's claim that he carried out dummy runs prior to the Omagh bombing, is a further indication that MI5 knew of the bombing well in advance of August 15, 1998. Other Special Branch informers have intimated that they too warned the RUC of an impending attack.
Indeed, the evidence of such informers led to the Police Ombudsman's inquiry which found that two prior warnings to CID was not passed on to police on the ground. These warnings did not include Rupert's claim that he also warned his FBI/MI5 handlers of Continuity IRA plans to bomb either Omagh or Derry. It is known that the Continuity IRA collaborated with the Real IRA at that time.
The McKevitt case has already opened a window on the covert activities of both the British and US intelligence agencies in Ireland. It has raised local and wider fears that that passing on of information which could save lives takes second place to 'counter-terrorism' activities in the intelligence services, including RUC Special Branch.
Rupert received a basic $33,000 per annum from the FBI and an annual $15,000 bonus through a bank in Sligo and others in London and Cayman Islands.
It is believed that one of the victims of the Omagh bombing described a man fitting Rupert's description - 6ft 4", about 20 stones, swarthy skin as having been in a shop in the Market Street area on more than one occasion prior to the bombing.
The case against McKevitt was due to proceed on June 4. However, the defence counsel is still awaiting certain documents and information from the FBI relating to Rupert.
The presiding judge in the case, Justice Barr, said the documents were fundamental to the defence and crucial if the trial were to proceed. McKevitt denies all of the charges.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1001
Published Date: 18-Apr-02
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