TOP FBI MAN SUMMONED TO MCKEVITT TRIAL
Top FBI man summoned to McKevitt trial
A SENIOR member of the FBI has been called to give evidence at a preliminary hearing in the trial of Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin this week heard Prosecuting Counsel George Birmingham say that six witnesses who have sworn affidavits would be required for the preliminary hearing which begins on October 8.
McKevitt's actual trial gets underway in the New Year and is expected to last for six weeks.
The Preliminary hearing on Tuesday week is to deal with issues which are of concern to the defence team. There will be a preliminary legal argument over the disclosure of documents to Mr McKevitt's defence team.
McKevitt's counsel Hugh Hartnett SC said that an issue is expected to arise over the editing of hundreds of the 3,000 documents which have already been disclosed to the defence. He said that the court may well have to examine the edited documents.
The six witnesses include two FBI agents - one is the assistant director of the counter-terrorism section of the FBI and an FBI field officer.
McKevitt was served with a writ in Portlaoise Prison in July by the families of the 29 people killed in the Real IRA bomb attack in Omagh in August 1998. Another four men are also being sued for damages by the families in a civil action before Belfast High Court.
A SENIOR member of the FBI has been called to give evidence at a preliminary hearing in the trial of Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin this week heard Prosecuting Counsel George Birmingham say that six witnesses who have sworn affidavits would be required for the preliminary hearing which begins on October 8.
McKevitt's actual trial gets underway in the New Year and is expected to last for six weeks.
The Preliminary hearing on Tuesday week is to deal with issues which are of concern to the defence team. There will be a preliminary legal argument over the disclosure of documents to Mr McKevitt's defence team.
McKevitt's counsel Hugh Hartnett SC said that an issue is expected to arise over the editing of hundreds of the 3,000 documents which have already been disclosed to the defence. He said that the court may well have to examine the edited documents.
The six witnesses include two FBI agents - one is the assistant director of the counter-terrorism section of the FBI and an FBI field officer.
McKevitt was served with a writ in Portlaoise Prison in July by the families of the 29 people killed in the Real IRA bomb attack in Omagh in August 1998. Another four men are also being sued for damages by the families in a civil action before Belfast High Court.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1102
Published Date: 26-Sep-02
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