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12/09/2001
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.
He said that one of the men, currently in prison in Colombia, Niall Connolly, had been the party’s representative for a number of years.
However, speaking on Tuesday, September 11, Mr Adams said: “Our national party chairman spelt out our position some time ago. There are obviously crossed wires in all of this. I am going there [Cuba] soon and I have asked our international affairs committee to sort this out with the Cuban foreign ministry.”
In response to questions, Mr Adams added that Mr Connolly was not a member of Sinn Féin nor had he ever been a member.
Colombian authorities arrested three suspected IRA members in Colombia last month. The three Irishmen, Niall Terence Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan, are accused of being senior IRA members and of training FARC guerrillas in tactics and the use of explosives. They were arrested on 11 August.
Gerry Adam’s comments came as his party prepared to meet US President Bush’s special envoy Richard Haass who arrived in Northern Ireland to discuss the latest impasse in the peace process.
At the meeting on Tuesday evening, Sinn Féin discussed with Mr Haass the situation in north Belfast, policing, the crisis in the peace process and the three Irish men arrested in Colombia.
Speaking afterwards Mr Adams said: “The meeting was very useful, friendly and constructive.” (AMcE)
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.
He said that one of the men, currently in prison in Colombia, Niall Connolly, had been the party’s representative for a number of years.
However, speaking on Tuesday, September 11, Mr Adams said: “Our national party chairman spelt out our position some time ago. There are obviously crossed wires in all of this. I am going there [Cuba] soon and I have asked our international affairs committee to sort this out with the Cuban foreign ministry.”
In response to questions, Mr Adams added that Mr Connolly was not a member of Sinn Féin nor had he ever been a member.
Colombian authorities arrested three suspected IRA members in Colombia last month. The three Irishmen, Niall Terence Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan, are accused of being senior IRA members and of training FARC guerrillas in tactics and the use of explosives. They were arrested on 11 August.
Gerry Adam’s comments came as his party prepared to meet US President Bush’s special envoy Richard Haass who arrived in Northern Ireland to discuss the latest impasse in the peace process.
At the meeting on Tuesday evening, Sinn Féin discussed with Mr Haass the situation in north Belfast, policing, the crisis in the peace process and the three Irish men arrested in Colombia.
Speaking afterwards Mr Adams said: “The meeting was very useful, friendly and constructive.” (AMcE)
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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
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19 December 2001
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
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House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
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17 August 2001
Men held in Colombia deny IRA links
Three alleged IRA suspects arrested in Colombia earlier this week have denied links with the Provisional IRA or Colombian guerrillas. According to the Colombian Attorney’s Office the men, James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connelly, insist they were in the safe haven of the Colombian guerrillas simply as tourists.
Men held in Colombia deny IRA links
Three alleged IRA suspects arrested in Colombia earlier this week have denied links with the Provisional IRA or Colombian guerrillas. According to the Colombian Attorney’s Office the men, James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connelly, insist they were in the safe haven of the Colombian guerrillas simply as tourists.
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