Menu
23/10/2001
Key witness disappears in Colombia
It has been revealed that a key witness in the case against three Irish republicans detained in Colombia has disappeared.
The news comes in the wake of an admission from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams that one of the men, Niall Connolly, was the party’s representative in Cuba.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were charged in August this year with training Marxist guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, in urban terrorism and carrying false passports.
The missing witness, a former police inspector, claimed he had seen Mr McCauley with FARC guerrillas in 1998. It has been reported that without this vital testimony the chances of convicting the three men are reduced. Circumstantial and forensic evidence suggesting the men had been in contact with explosives while with the guerrillas would not be enough to convict them on terrorism charges.
On Monday October 22, Mr Adams said Mr Connolly was appointed as Sinn Féin's representative in Cuba without his knowledge or the authorisation of the international department of his party.
The party had previously denied claims by the Cuban authorities that Mr Connolly was their representative. But Mr Adams confirmed that an internal investigation revealed “one of our senior members asked Niall Connolly to represent the party in Cuba”.
In a statement Mr Adams said: “This decision was taken without the knowledge or authorisation of the international department or any other party structure including the party chairperson or myself. Proper procedures were not employed in this case. These procedures have now been reviewed to ensure that this unfortunate situation does not arise again.” (AMcE)
The news comes in the wake of an admission from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams that one of the men, Niall Connolly, was the party’s representative in Cuba.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were charged in August this year with training Marxist guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, in urban terrorism and carrying false passports.
The missing witness, a former police inspector, claimed he had seen Mr McCauley with FARC guerrillas in 1998. It has been reported that without this vital testimony the chances of convicting the three men are reduced. Circumstantial and forensic evidence suggesting the men had been in contact with explosives while with the guerrillas would not be enough to convict them on terrorism charges.
On Monday October 22, Mr Adams said Mr Connolly was appointed as Sinn Féin's representative in Cuba without his knowledge or the authorisation of the international department of his party.
The party had previously denied claims by the Cuban authorities that Mr Connolly was their representative. But Mr Adams confirmed that an internal investigation revealed “one of our senior members asked Niall Connolly to represent the party in Cuba”.
In a statement Mr Adams said: “This decision was taken without the knowledge or authorisation of the international department or any other party structure including the party chairperson or myself. Proper procedures were not employed in this case. These procedures have now been reviewed to ensure that this unfortunate situation does not arise again.” (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 September 2001
Sinn Féin deny link with Colombian suspect
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has denied that one of the Irish men being held in Colombia was ever a member of the political party. On Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque confirmed the statement made by his office last month that Sinn Féin had a representative based in Havana.
Sinn Féin deny link with Colombian suspect
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has denied that one of the Irish men being held in Colombia was ever a member of the political party. On Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque confirmed the statement made by his office last month that Sinn Féin had a representative based in Havana.
22 October 2001
Adams admits Sinn Fein link with Colombian trio
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has admitted one of three Irishmen detained in Colombia was Sinn Fein's representative in Cuba. Mr Adams revealed on Monday October 22 that Niall Connolly’s appointment was made without his knowledge or authorisation of the International Department.
Adams admits Sinn Fein link with Colombian trio
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has admitted one of three Irishmen detained in Colombia was Sinn Fein's representative in Cuba. Mr Adams revealed on Monday October 22 that Niall Connolly’s appointment was made without his knowledge or authorisation of the International Department.
09 November 2017
Green Party Rep Targeted With Homophobic Abuse
A Green Party representative has claimed he was recently targeted with homophobic harassment. North Belfast Green Party representative Malachai O'Hara said he was verbally abused on his way to work on Wednesday morning, 08 November. He said: "As I was heading to work, I was the victim of homophobic harassment.
Green Party Rep Targeted With Homophobic Abuse
A Green Party representative has claimed he was recently targeted with homophobic harassment. North Belfast Green Party representative Malachai O'Hara said he was verbally abused on his way to work on Wednesday morning, 08 November. He said: "As I was heading to work, I was the victim of homophobic harassment.
16 November 2015
SF Hits Out After Hoax Device Left Outside Connolly House
Sinn Féin has hit out at those who left a hoax device at its constituency office in west Belfast. The device was left outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road on Sunday night. MP Paul Maskey said it had caused "nothing but disruption" to the entire community.
SF Hits Out After Hoax Device Left Outside Connolly House
Sinn Féin has hit out at those who left a hoax device at its constituency office in west Belfast. The device was left outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road on Sunday night. MP Paul Maskey said it had caused "nothing but disruption" to the entire community.
15 July 2013
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
In June, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 5.9% lower than a year ago, down from a 3.1% decline in May 2013, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The figures are considerably worse than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.1%. In the UK footfall in June was 0.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 0.
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
In June, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 5.9% lower than a year ago, down from a 3.1% decline in May 2013, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The figures are considerably worse than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.1%. In the UK footfall in June was 0.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 0.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
