Video link plea for Omagh witness

FBI spy David Rupert’s evidence in the landmark civil action against five men suspected of the Omagh bombing should be given from America in order to protect his life, a court heard today.

With the trial of the alleged terrorists behind the atrocity which claimed 29 lives provisionally fixed for January next year, lawyers for the victims’ families urged a High Court judge to allow the key witness to testify using a video link.

Lord Brennan QC told how Rupert, the trucking company boss turned agent who helped clinch the 20-year sentence handed out to Michael McEvitt for directing terrorism, had placed huge pressures on the security services during the Real IRA boss’s trial in Dublin last year.

With the spy now set to give evidence on the families’ behalf he said: “David Rupert’s involvement in that trial led to the most elaborate security measures which represented a great strain on security personnel services.

“It cost a great deal of money but most important of all it was required to protect the life of David Rupert.

“We will make an application at an appropriate time for David Rupert to give evidence by way of video link between the United States and this court.”