The PSNI has won the right to access information on the so-called Boston Tapes.
Judges at Belfast's Court of Appeal rejected Winston Rea's claims that the material should not be passed on to police investigating paramilitary murders during the Troubles because it would breach his privacy.
Dozens of former paramilitaries provided testimonies to Boston College's Belfast Project from 2001 to 2006 as part of an oral history on The Troubles.
Details about internal politics and activities of the IRA were revealed on the tapes, including accounts of the 1980s prison hunger strikes.
The interviews were given on the understanding that the tapes would not be made public until after their deaths.
Despite today's ruling, the PSNI will not be able to open the sealed recordings, pending a Supreme Court appeal in the case.
Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime about the court's decision:
Originally posted at 13.33