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.

The men were arrested in Bogotá on Saturday August 11 on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

United States state department spokesman Philip Reeker said on Thursday that the US would consider any links between the IRA and the guerrillas as troubling.

Speaking on a radio morning programme he said: “We would be concerned if it were established that the Provisional Irish Republican Army were assisting, sharing information or in any way collaborating with a violent terrorist organization such as the FARC.

“We'll be closely monitoring any information with regard to the activities and affiliations of those three men who have been arrested in Colombia.”

A story in Thursday’s Washington Post reported that Sinn Féin were beginning to lose creditability in the US. The paper said that Sinn Féin and its leader Gerry Adams “used to have friends” in Washington but their numbers were dwindling.

The three suspects can be held until August 26 before either being charged or released.

Colombian prosecutors have said they are advancing with their investigation into the three men who are accused of training Marxist rebels.

However, the Colombian army has now admitted it does not have secret film of the trio.

The leader of the nationalist SDLP, John Hume, said after his meeting with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that Sinn Féin absolutely needed to clarify the republican position in light of the Colombian arrests.

Sinn Féin have maintained throughout the week that they know of no connection with their party and the trio held in Colombia. Speaking on RTÉ radio on Friday morning Sinn Féin chairman Mitchell McLoughlin said: “We have no responsibility to them, the have no responsibility to us.”

If convicted, the trio could face maximum prison terms of 15-20 years, court sources in Colombia have said. However, they could be deported or extradited.

Colombia's minister of defence said: “We are advancing with the investigation, the British authorities are aware and the procedures of international law will be followed.” (AMcE)