Witness protection case to be heard in private

A man’s legal action over the State’s alleged failure to live up to promises made to him under the witness protection programme will have to be heard behind closed doors, the High Court ruled yesterday.

David Mooney, a witness in a high-profile trial against two men convicted of involvement in organised and subversive crime, is suing the Garda Commissioner and the State for allegedly failing to abide by the agreement made when he entered the programme, including failing to give him a new identity and to relocate him to another country.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan ruled the case should be heard in private to protect gardaí and others involved in administering the programme from being targeted by subversives and organised crime gangs.