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16/10/2002
Second court no-show for Colombia Three
The three suspected IRA men arrested in Bogota last year have once again refused to attend court for a preliminary hearing.
It is the second time the men have refused to attend a court hearing, having remained in their cells for the original court date last week. The three men are protesting over their fears that they will not be able to receive a fair trial given the intense local and international attention resting on the outcome of the case.
Lawyers for the trio say that recent comments from the President, former president and the State Attorney General could also have a prejudicial influence on the trial.
A statement is expected to be read out in court by the men's lawyers explaining their reasons for not turning up.
While the judge is expected to set a date for the men's trial during today's hearing, it is unclear at present what will now happen as a result of the men's absence.
Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly – known as the Colombia Three – were arrested at Bogota's International Airport in August 2001 and charged with crimes relating to the training Farc guerrillas and possession of false passports.
The court case has put further pressure on Sinn Fein with unionists accusing republicans of developing new weapons in South America while participating in the Stormont government.
However, the IRA leadership has denied authorising any action in Colombia and the men have all denied links with the IRA or Colombian guerrillas.
(MB)
It is the second time the men have refused to attend a court hearing, having remained in their cells for the original court date last week. The three men are protesting over their fears that they will not be able to receive a fair trial given the intense local and international attention resting on the outcome of the case.
Lawyers for the trio say that recent comments from the President, former president and the State Attorney General could also have a prejudicial influence on the trial.
A statement is expected to be read out in court by the men's lawyers explaining their reasons for not turning up.
While the judge is expected to set a date for the men's trial during today's hearing, it is unclear at present what will now happen as a result of the men's absence.
Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly – known as the Colombia Three – were arrested at Bogota's International Airport in August 2001 and charged with crimes relating to the training Farc guerrillas and possession of false passports.
The court case has put further pressure on Sinn Fein with unionists accusing republicans of developing new weapons in South America while participating in the Stormont government.
However, the IRA leadership has denied authorising any action in Colombia and the men have all denied links with the IRA or Colombian guerrillas.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
