The Special Criminal Court is to rule whether surveillance gardaí will be allowed give evidence anonymously at a trial for the murder of a dissident republican.

Edward McGrath of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield in Tallaght; Dean Evans of Grange Park Rise, Raheny and Sharif Kelly of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan - all in Dublin - deny murdering Peter Butterly last year.

Mr Butterly (35) was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath on March 6th last year.

Mr McGrath (32), Mr Evans (22) and Mr Kelly (43) are to be tried at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

However before the trial gets underway, the prosecution is trying to secure an order protecting nine surveillance gardaí by allowing them give evidence anonymously behind a screen.

The defence teams are strenuously opposing the move - arguing such an order is not within the power of the court.

The lawyers say it could effect the right to a fair trial by hampering the ability of defendants to cross examine the witnesses.