Written evidence from David Rupert, an FBI agent who infiltrated dissident republican groups, also said that accused Sean Hoey had never been named by him to the FBI or the British Security Service as having been involved or associated in any way with the illegal republican groups.

The judge in the marathon non-jury trial is expected to retire to consider his verdict tomorrow following final submissions from the prosecution and defence.

Sean Hoey, 37, an electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough, denies 56 terrorist charges including the Omagh bombing.

At the end of day 54, defence council Orlando Pownall completed the submission of evidence to Mr Justice Weir with a written submission of evidence from David Rupert, which was agreed with the prosecution.

It stated that Mr Rupert was an FBI agent from in or about 1997 and that material and information emanating from him was believed to be accurate and reliable.

Mr Pownall said Rupert had been recruited by dissident groups as a supporter and that the groups perceived him to be a person who may be in a position to provide equipment and funding for the organisation's activities - including the CIRA between 1997-99 and RIRA between 1998 and 2001.

He had met a number of persons considered to be the organisers and leaders of the group.

Information supplied by Rupert to the FBI was shared with the British Security Service (BSS). The information had named over 100 individuals from North America and Ireland and had been supplied in various ways including by emails to his handlers.

The emails were contained in more than 2,000 pages of evidence submitted to the judge.