Menu
31/07/2003
Colombia three trial enters final stages
The trial of the three Irish men facing charges of training left-wing guerrillas in Colombia is entering its final stages as the lawyers for the defence make their final statements this week.
The three men facing charges relating to the training of left-wing FARC guerrillas made their first appearance in court in Bogota yesterday.
The men, Martin McAuley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly, had previously refused to appear before the court because they claimed they would not receive a fair trial and that they feared for their safety.
However, in their televised appearance in court, all three accused denied the allegations levelled against them.
In his statement Mr McAuley denied the charges and said that he was not a member of the IRA. He said he had travelled under an assumed name to avoid "harassment and threats".
Mr Monaghan said that he had travelled to the FARC controlled region to discuss "conflict resolution" and denied the claim that he was an IRA member.
Mr Connolly was more forthright. He was highly critical of the trial, which he claimed had been used by the British government to undermine the Northern Ireland peace process.
The statements read out in court by the three men followed the prosecution’s summing up earlier this week. The legal team for the defence requested that their clients be allowed to make the statements, which is their right under the Colombian justice system.
All three men were detained travelling under false passports and have denied the charges relating to the training of FARC guerrillas in the region controlled by the Marxist group.
Although the case is expected to conclude this week, under the Colombia legal system the judge is not required to carry out sentencing for four weeks. The men were returned to their cells in La Modelo jail near Bogota while the judge ponders his verdict.
If found guilty the three men face a custodial sentence of up to 20 years in jail, but they would have the right of appeal.
(SP)
The three men facing charges relating to the training of left-wing FARC guerrillas made their first appearance in court in Bogota yesterday.
The men, Martin McAuley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly, had previously refused to appear before the court because they claimed they would not receive a fair trial and that they feared for their safety.
However, in their televised appearance in court, all three accused denied the allegations levelled against them.
In his statement Mr McAuley denied the charges and said that he was not a member of the IRA. He said he had travelled under an assumed name to avoid "harassment and threats".
Mr Monaghan said that he had travelled to the FARC controlled region to discuss "conflict resolution" and denied the claim that he was an IRA member.
Mr Connolly was more forthright. He was highly critical of the trial, which he claimed had been used by the British government to undermine the Northern Ireland peace process.
The statements read out in court by the three men followed the prosecution’s summing up earlier this week. The legal team for the defence requested that their clients be allowed to make the statements, which is their right under the Colombian justice system.
All three men were detained travelling under false passports and have denied the charges relating to the training of FARC guerrillas in the region controlled by the Marxist group.
Although the case is expected to conclude this week, under the Colombia legal system the judge is not required to carry out sentencing for four weeks. The men were returned to their cells in La Modelo jail near Bogota while the judge ponders his verdict.
If found guilty the three men face a custodial sentence of up to 20 years in jail, but they would have the right of appeal.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 March 2017
Three Men Charged After Firearm Discovered In Co Fermanagh
Three men have been charged after police discovered a firearm during the search of a car in Co Fermanagh. The weapon was found after the PSNI stopped a vehicle on the Dublin Road in Enniskillen on Friday, 03 March.
Three Men Charged After Firearm Discovered In Co Fermanagh
Three men have been charged after police discovered a firearm during the search of a car in Co Fermanagh. The weapon was found after the PSNI stopped a vehicle on the Dublin Road in Enniskillen on Friday, 03 March.
05 October 2016
Two Men Attacked With Baseball Bats In Co Antrim
Two 18-year-old men have been attacked with baseball bats in Whitehead, Co Antrim. The victims were closing premises in the Balmoral Avenue area at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, 04 October when three men assaulted them. Both men were treated in hospital for their injuries. One has been discharged, and the other remains in hospital.
Two Men Attacked With Baseball Bats In Co Antrim
Two 18-year-old men have been attacked with baseball bats in Whitehead, Co Antrim. The victims were closing premises in the Balmoral Avenue area at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, 04 October when three men assaulted them. Both men were treated in hospital for their injuries. One has been discharged, and the other remains in hospital.
17 November 2009
Charges Follow Deadly Wexford Assault
Three men have been charged in connection with the death of a man after an assault in Co Wexford at the weekend. James Doyle, 40, and father-of-three was attacked in the Gorey area of Wexford in the early hours of Saturday morning and received serious head injuries. He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died this afternoon.
Charges Follow Deadly Wexford Assault
Three men have been charged in connection with the death of a man after an assault in Co Wexford at the weekend. James Doyle, 40, and father-of-three was attacked in the Gorey area of Wexford in the early hours of Saturday morning and received serious head injuries. He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died this afternoon.
27 April 2004
Colombia three cleared of Farc connected charges
The three Irishmen accused of training left-wing guerrillas in Colombia have been cleared in court of charges relating to the training of Farc guerillas. However, the men, James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McAuley, all sentenced on false passports charges, look likely to be held in jail in Bogota pending the outcome of a prosecution appeal.
Colombia three cleared of Farc connected charges
The three Irishmen accused of training left-wing guerrillas in Colombia have been cleared in court of charges relating to the training of Farc guerillas. However, the men, James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McAuley, all sentenced on false passports charges, look likely to be held in jail in Bogota pending the outcome of a prosecution appeal.
13 June 2003
Three men deny Derry killings
Three men have been remanded in custody following the murder of two men in Londonderry earlier in the week. All three men, Darren McCallion, 20, his brother, David McCallion, 23, and Dermot Kelly, 22, denied the charges when they appeared in Londonderry Magistrates Court.
Three men deny Derry killings
Three men have been remanded in custody following the murder of two men in Londonderry earlier in the week. All three men, Darren McCallion, 20, his brother, David McCallion, 23, and Dermot Kelly, 22, denied the charges when they appeared in Londonderry Magistrates Court.
-
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.
