The main prosecution witness has begun giving evidence in the trial of Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, in the Special Criminal Court.
David Rupert, who was an agent for British and American intelligence services, has been outlining connections that he had with Irish republicans.
Earlier, the court considered an application by counsel seeking to exclude a number of people from the hearing.
51-year-old David Rupert said he became an FBI agent because of his moral teachings.
He also said he did it because the FBI paid for his trips and expenses.
Mr Rupert, a protected witness, told the court he liked to come to Ireland to unwind and that he found it relaxing.
He also found it morally acceptable to work for the FBI and supply information on particular republicans and the relationship they had to the US.
The witness told the court he met the prominent republicans Joe O'Neill, at his bar in Bundoran, and Vincent Murray, at his bar in Sligo.
He said he drank with them, spoke about republicanism and was told he was photographed by the Garda Special Branch while standing on a street.
Mr Rupert also told the court that his trucking business collapsed following an accident in December 1992 in Kentucky in which three children died.
He said he was married four times and first became involved in republican circles in Ireland when he met Linda Vaughan - a Noraid lobbyist in Florida.
