The Special Criminal Court yesterday provisionally fixed June 4th for the trial of Mr Michael McKevitt, who faces charges of directing terrorist offences.
The court fixed the date despite an objection from Mr McKevitt's counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, that the defence was not in a position to say it would be ready for trial on any date. He said the defence was still trying to collate all the information supplied by the prosecution. It might be necessary to bring witnesses from the US.
Mr Justice Johnson, presiding, said the court would provisionally fix the trial date for June 4th and would give Mr Hartnett liberty to apply in January for a new date if he was not ready to go ahead in June.
Mr George Birmingham SC, prosecuting, told the court last week the trial would last at least four weeks.
The court was told at an earlier hearing that the main prosecution witness was Mr David Rupert, who worked for the FBI and British Intelligence, and that he was observed by garda∅ meeting Mr McKevitt on a number of occasions.
The court also heard that he infiltrated the "Real IRA" leadership and attended its army council meetings. The court heard that Mr McKevitt allegedly met Mr Rupert over a two-year period and asked him to acquire equipment.
Mr McKevitt (51), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged that between August 29th, 1999, and March 28th, 2001, within the State, he was a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise ╙glaigh na h╔ireann, and that he directed its activities.
It is the first prosecution for directing terrorism under legislation brought in after the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Mr McKevitt was remanded in continuing custody.