The FBI spy testifying against alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was today questioned about his personal debts as cross examination continued at Dublin's special criminal court. 

David Rupert, 51, revealed that he once more than US5,000 in debts which he eventually made a decision to no longer pay.

The former trucking company boss told the court that the Inland (sic) Revenue service had a lot of people to look after and that he was 
a small fish in the pond to them.

He said: ``There were bigger fish to chase.``

The US businessman was being probed by defence council Hugh Hartnett who asked in the nature of the debt.

Mr Rupert said he could not remember what the debt was for.

He told the barrister: ``If you are trying to paint a picture of desperation for money that is actually not the case.``

The FBI spy is the chief witness in the case of McKevitt, 53, of Blackrock, Dundalk, County Louth, who denies directing terrorism and being a member of the Real IRA terror group responsible for the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Mr Rupert was also questioned about his first meeting with an FBI agent, and asked whether he remembered being shown photographs of 
himself taken by the FBI.