Spy may not testify in Omagh case

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An American agent who infiltrated the ranks of the Real IRA may not testify in the Omagh bomb compensation case.

David Rupert was due to give evidence from America, via video link, in a £14m civil case taken by the Omagh victim's families.

However, Belfast's High Court has been told the FBI is no longer willing to co-operate due to concerns over Mr Rupert's security and health.

The 1998 car bomb killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

Five men believed to have been involved in the blast are being sued by the families of some of the victims in the civil action.

Convicted RIRA leader Michael McKevitt and four other people in the Republic of Ireland - Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy - are being sued by the families of those killed in the atrocity.

McKevitt is challenging his 20-year sentence imposed in the Republic for directing terrorism.

Mr Rupert gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court in the Irish capital in his trial.

David Rupert infiltrated the Real IRA

He was also due to give evidence at the compensation case via video link after it was argued attendance at the hearing in Belfast would put his life at risk.

However, during a preliminary issues hearing into the case, Lord Brennan QC - who is representing the Omagh families - told Mr Justice Morgan: "We wanted Mr Rupert to give evidence via video link but the FBI have refused to co-operate in that regard.

"Our understanding is that the FBI have reached this stage in relation to this man's security and health. He is in a protective arrangement of some type in America."

Saying Mr Rupert's evidence was "of central importance" in the case against McKevitt and Campbell, Lord Brennan revealed his legal team "have sought and will continue to seek confirmation" on the position regarding Mr Rupert.

Expressing his surprise at the latest development in the case, Mr Justice Morgan said the High Court had been "busying away in making technical arrangements to ensure Mr Rupert could be accommodated".

The judge also expressed the hope that the civil action will be heard later in the year.