Convicted killer Freddie Thompson has failed in his application to have his trial for assault and threats to kill moved to Dublin.
However the 43-year-old, who appeared in court today via video-link, has been given the option of moving the trial to Tullamore in Co Offaly.
Thompson is due to go on trial at Portlaoise Circuit Court. He faces three charges; one for assault causing harm and two for threats to kill at Portlaoise Prison on separate dates in 2022.
At an earlier hearing he claimed that his life is under threat because of his conviction for the murder of David Douglas in 2016 and he asked the court that his trial be held in Dublin - where he said there is more security.
Thompson had raised serious concern for his personal safety as he is brought from a prison van through a public area to the court in Portlaoise.
He said the security facilities were more appropriate at the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin.
The court heard from gardaí that a security plan is drawn up every time Freddie Thompson appears in court and that gardaí in Portlaoise are experienced in dealing with the security arrangements.
Today Judge Keenan Johnson said Tullamore courthouse has a secure access point which is closed to the public and said it may be more appropriate if the trial is moved there.
He put the matter back to 27 February and said he will make the direction to have the trial moved to Tullamore, if the accused is satisfied with it.
