Menu
22/04/2002
Adams to announce decision on US FARC hearing
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said he will make his decision shortly on whether to go to the United States to answer questions about alleged links between the IRA and Colombian guerrilla group FARC.
He said senior party members would meet in Belfast on Monday, April 22, to decide if he should travel to the House of Representatives in Washington for the hearing on Wednesday, April 24.
Mr Adams said he was being advised not to go to the 'The IRA in Colombia - the Global Links of International Terrorism' hearing despite repeating that it was his “instinct” to attend.
The lawyer of the three men on trial in Colombia Peter Madden said he believed that a hearing would be prejudicial to them having a fair trial. In an open letter to the Sinn Féin leader Mr Madden said: “I have read that you have not decided to attend but my own view is that if you do so, the perception might be that you would be lending credibility to what might very well be an unfair and prejudicial proceeding. Your presence may signal your acceptance of the proceeding as a fair process.”
The men are being held on suspicion of helping train FARC guerrillas opposed to Colombia’s US-backed President Mr Andres Pastrana.
Meanwhile, Caitriona Ruane who is leading the “Bring Them Home” campaign has added her support. She said: “We are urging the Congressional Committee not to proceed and the campaign and our lawyers are urging Gerry Adams not to attend in the interests of fair trial.
“This is a flagrant violation of the Right to Fair Trial, committee official John Mackey claims it will not violate the men’s legal rights. I would ask him how could it do anything other than prejudice the outcome of the trial.”
Last month, Colombian prosecutors formally charged three IRA suspects with teaching bomb-making to Marxist rebels, bringing the men's trial a significant step closer.
Prosecutors passed the case to a federal judge six months after the three men were arrested while leaving an area controlled by FARC.
The three, Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly, face up to eight years in jail if convicted.
Two of the men are from the Republic of Ireland and one is from Northern Ireland. (AMcE)
He said senior party members would meet in Belfast on Monday, April 22, to decide if he should travel to the House of Representatives in Washington for the hearing on Wednesday, April 24.
Mr Adams said he was being advised not to go to the 'The IRA in Colombia - the Global Links of International Terrorism' hearing despite repeating that it was his “instinct” to attend.
The lawyer of the three men on trial in Colombia Peter Madden said he believed that a hearing would be prejudicial to them having a fair trial. In an open letter to the Sinn Féin leader Mr Madden said: “I have read that you have not decided to attend but my own view is that if you do so, the perception might be that you would be lending credibility to what might very well be an unfair and prejudicial proceeding. Your presence may signal your acceptance of the proceeding as a fair process.”
The men are being held on suspicion of helping train FARC guerrillas opposed to Colombia’s US-backed President Mr Andres Pastrana.
Meanwhile, Caitriona Ruane who is leading the “Bring Them Home” campaign has added her support. She said: “We are urging the Congressional Committee not to proceed and the campaign and our lawyers are urging Gerry Adams not to attend in the interests of fair trial.
“This is a flagrant violation of the Right to Fair Trial, committee official John Mackey claims it will not violate the men’s legal rights. I would ask him how could it do anything other than prejudice the outcome of the trial.”
Last month, Colombian prosecutors formally charged three IRA suspects with teaching bomb-making to Marxist rebels, bringing the men's trial a significant step closer.
Prosecutors passed the case to a federal judge six months after the three men were arrested while leaving an area controlled by FARC.
The three, Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly, face up to eight years in jail if convicted.
Two of the men are from the Republic of Ireland and one is from Northern Ireland. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 March 2010
Brother Will Get Fair Trial: Adams
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said he disagreed with his brother's high profile fight against extradition to face child sex abuse allegations.
Brother Will Get Fair Trial: Adams
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said he disagreed with his brother's high profile fight against extradition to face child sex abuse allegations.
23 April 2002
Adams declines to attend US Congressional hearing
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will not be attending a US Congressional committee investigating links between the IRA and Colombian rebels. The hearings entitled 'The IRA in Colombia - the Global Links of International Terrorism' are due to begin in Washington on Wednesday.
Adams declines to attend US Congressional hearing
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will not be attending a US Congressional committee investigating links between the IRA and Colombian rebels. The hearings entitled 'The IRA in Colombia - the Global Links of International Terrorism' are due to begin in Washington on Wednesday.
10 June 2010
Adam's Brother 'Won't Get Fair Trial'
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adam's 'wanted' brother is insisting that he won't get a fair trial across the border. This is one of the grounds of objection being raised by Liam Adams over an attempt by authorities in Northern Ireland to extradite him on sex abuse charges.
Adam's Brother 'Won't Get Fair Trial'
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adam's 'wanted' brother is insisting that he won't get a fair trial across the border. This is one of the grounds of objection being raised by Liam Adams over an attempt by authorities in Northern Ireland to extradite him on sex abuse charges.
29 August 2001
McGimpsey claims Sinn Fein have a case to answer
Senior Ulster Unionist, Michael McGimpsey, has questioned Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’ appeal for Unionists to engage in dialogue with Republicans.
McGimpsey claims Sinn Fein have a case to answer
Senior Ulster Unionist, Michael McGimpsey, has questioned Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’ appeal for Unionists to engage in dialogue with Republicans.
06 February 2003
Colombia Three trial adjourned until Friday
The trial of three alleged IRA men arrested in Colombia and charged with training Marxist guerrillas has been adjourned until tomorrow. Prosecution witnesses appeared in court amid heavy security on Wednesday for the trial of Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan.
Colombia Three trial adjourned until Friday
The trial of three alleged IRA men arrested in Colombia and charged with training Marxist guerrillas has been adjourned until tomorrow. Prosecution witnesses appeared in court amid heavy security on Wednesday for the trial of Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
