FBI agent David Rupert told the Special Criminal Court today that he wanted $2m (€1.76m) after tax from the FBI for agreeing to testify against the alleged Real IRA leader Michael Mc Kevitt.

FBI agent David Rupert told the Special Criminal Court today that he developed the character of a smuggler and drug dealer to help him infiltrate dissident republican groups.

FBI agent David Rupert told the Special Criminal Court today that he scouted the US/Mexican border as a possible entry point to the United States for the alleged Real IRA leader Michael Mc Kevitt.

The Special Criminal Court today rejected an application by lawyers representing the alleged leader of the Real IRA, Michael McKevitt, for access to secret unedited MI5 documents.

A journalist and newspaper are to be investigated for contempt of court for reporting of the trial of alleged Real IRA leader Michael Mc Kevitt, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

FBI agent David Rupert told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today that he had discussed setting up an offshore bank off the Florida coast to launder crime money after his businesses in New York state had been seized by a bank because he defaulted on a loan.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin today fixed June 18 next as the provisional trial date for Michael Mc Kevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA.

The head of gardai intelligence told the Special Criminal Court today that there was a ''a very real and very substantial'' threat to the lives of FBI witness David Rupert and his family because of his involvement in the case of the alleged Real IRA leader Michael Mc Kevitt.

A senior FBI official told the Special Criminal Court today that the FBI had withheld certain documents from the Irish authorities in the case of Michael Mc Kevitt, the alleged leader of the real IRA.

The British ambassador in Ireland, Ivor Roberts told the Special Criminal Court today that he had been advised by members of the British security service in Ireland and in London that all relevant material relating to David Rupert, the chief prosecution witness against the alleged leader of the Real IRA Michael Mckevitt, had been disclosed to the defence.

Two senior FBI witnesses from the United States will attend the hearing of preliminary issues in the trial of Michael Mc Kevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

The prosecution has "bent over backwards" to provide lawyers for the alleged leader of the Real IRA, Michael McKevitt, with material relating to his case, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

FBI agent David Rupert who is due to give evidence against the alleged leader of the Real IRA Michael McKevitt ``represents a very serious threat to a very dangerous organisation’’, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

Lawyers for Michael McKevitt want American lawyers to investigate the background of the chief prosecution witness against him, FBI agent David Rupert, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin was told today.

A lawyer for Michael Mc Kevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today that he did not believe the defence will be ready to go ahead with his trial in June.