Menu
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
10 October 2013
Ombudsman Launches Liam Adams Investigation
The police ombudsman has launched an investigation to examine how police dealt with the case of Liam Adams, who was convicted of sexually assaulting and raping his own daughter, Áine, in the 1970s.
Ombudsman Launches Liam Adams Investigation
The police ombudsman has launched an investigation to examine how police dealt with the case of Liam Adams, who was convicted of sexually assaulting and raping his own daughter, Áine, in the 1970s.
10 February 2005
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
19 December 2001
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
