McKevitt trial mole tapes 'might put lives at risk'
US federal prosecutors have asked a judge to delay his decision on a lawyer’s request for transcripts of interviews between journalists and an FBI mole.
They claim the tapes might “put lives at risk.”
Lawyers for alleged IRA mastermind Michael McKevitt, who is currently on trial in Dublin accused of terrorism, want the transcripts in order to show that FBI mole David Rupert is not a credible witness.
Rupert reportedly infiltrated the Chicago area fund-raising network of the Real IRA and is testifying at McKevitt’s trial. McKevitt has been described as a leader of the Real IRA, a breakaway Irish Republican Army group.
The US Attorney’s Office in Chicago yesterday asked Judge Ronald Guzman to delay his ruling, arguing that more time was needed to determine whether turning over the transcripts would put lives at risk or disclose classified information.
In a court filing, prosecutors wrote “There is a danger that the requested disclosure in the case would:
“(1) Result in the improper disclosure of classified and other sensitive information.
“(2) Put lives at risk.
“(3) Damage this Nation’s international relationships.”
The filing goes on to say: “The United States does not have access to the material at issue and has not been able to immediately determine whether any of the foregoing concerns is fully justified. It may be that unless the materials are reviewed by the appropriate law enforcement authorities prior to any disclosure, any or all of the severe dangers will be realised.”
Judge Guzman has not yet ruled on the matter.
“I’ll make a decision as soon as I can,” Guzman told McKevitt’s lawyers.
Lawyers for reporters Abdon Pallasch and Robert Herguth of the Chicago Sun-Times and Flynn McRoberts of the Chicago Tribune, say the content of the tapes is privileged under the US constitution and an Illinois law, which allows reporters to keep some of the information they collect confidential.
The interviews with Rupert were part of a book project initially undertaken by Pallasch and McRoberts, lawyers said.
McRoberts later withdrew from the project and was replaced by Herguth.
McKevitt’s lawyers have indicated that they are not opposed to the US Attorney’s Office reviewing the material, as along as McKevitt is allowed access to it.
