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06/08/2003
McKevitt found guilty on terrorism charges
Dublin’s Special Criminal Court has found Michael McKevitt guilty of membership of an illegal paramilitary group and of directing terrorism.
In its ruling the Court was satisfied with the evidence given by the chief witness for the prosecution, David Rupert.
McKevitt was alleged to have instructed Rupert who was acting undercover, posing as the Real IRA’s US representative, and of directing terrorism under the Irish anti-terrorism law. The three-judge Court found that both evidence discovered in McKevitt’s home and statements from other witnesses’ corroborated Rupert’s testimony.
The Court rejected McKevitt’s stated claim that he had never met Rupert.
McKevitt who has denied the charges, refused to attend today’s proceedings. He was informed of the ruling and that he may appear at the sentencing hearing.
Under Ireland’s anti-terrorism act, the 53-year-old Co Louth businessman could be sentenced to life-imprisonment.
During the court proceedings, McKevitt branded the case a “showtrial” and sacked his legal team when a plea made by the defence failed to have the trial stopped, due to what was claimed to be contradictory evidence in Garda surveillance reports.
Following this, the prosecution evidence subsequently heard in Court, went unchallenged.
(SP)
In its ruling the Court was satisfied with the evidence given by the chief witness for the prosecution, David Rupert.
McKevitt was alleged to have instructed Rupert who was acting undercover, posing as the Real IRA’s US representative, and of directing terrorism under the Irish anti-terrorism law. The three-judge Court found that both evidence discovered in McKevitt’s home and statements from other witnesses’ corroborated Rupert’s testimony.
The Court rejected McKevitt’s stated claim that he had never met Rupert.
McKevitt who has denied the charges, refused to attend today’s proceedings. He was informed of the ruling and that he may appear at the sentencing hearing.
Under Ireland’s anti-terrorism act, the 53-year-old Co Louth businessman could be sentenced to life-imprisonment.
During the court proceedings, McKevitt branded the case a “showtrial” and sacked his legal team when a plea made by the defence failed to have the trial stopped, due to what was claimed to be contradictory evidence in Garda surveillance reports.
Following this, the prosecution evidence subsequently heard in Court, went unchallenged.
(SP)
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