A High Court judge yesterday (Friday) rejected claims that attempts had been made to shackle reporting of a case involving the former British agent known as Kevin Fulton.
Mr Justice Brian Kerr said the case had not appeared in the court list last week because there had been an application for anonymity by Fulton, which is not his real name.
The judge said that if the case had been listed in Fulton's name the application would have been rendered redundant.
He said anonymity had now been granted – it was listed yesterday as X – and the case would proceed as usual.
"There were no restrictions on the press, the case was in open court and they could have attended," he said.
Fulton is seeking judicial review of an NIO decision refusing him a financial settlement package. He also challenges the police's assessment that his life is no longer in danger.
Newry-born Fulton was a British agent inside the IRA for 20 years and claims he was "dumped" once his cover was blown.
The court heard the respondents had been unable to trace people named in Fulton's affidavit and their lawyer asked for a four-week adjournment.
John Larkin, QC, for Fulton, said his client, who now lives in a safe house in England, would become homeless on October 14 as the accommodation would no longer be available to him.
"The pressure on him to return to this jurisdiction will be all the greater," Mr Larkin said, referring to Fulton's claim that he is top of the IRA's hit list.
Fulton claims Special Branch wants him silenced over the disclosure that he gave police advance information about the Omagh bombing which led to a damning report by the Police Ombudsman.
Mr Justice Kerr adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
