Alleged Real IRA leader to apply for bail today

An alleged leading member of the Real IRA is to apply to be freed on bail today at the Special Criminal Court.

51-year-old Michael McKevitt with an address at Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, is the first person to be charged with directing an illegal organisation under Section 6 of the Offences Against the State Act.

The legislation was introduced two weeks after the Omagh bombing.

Mr McKevitt, who is head of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, was arrested last Thursday and questioned for two days before being charged.

Three others who were arrested at the same time were released without charge.