18/08/2005

'Colombia Three' being questioned by Garda

Irish police are questioning the ‘Colombia Three’ about their secret return to the Republic of Ireland last month.

Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were sentenced to 17 years in a Colombian jail on charges of training Marxists rebels but vanished in December 2004 while on bail awaiting an appeal.

Garda detectives confirmed the men are currently being held in various police stations in Dublin. It emerged that the three had returned to Ireland following an interview with James Monaghan by RTE earlier in August.

Following the trios return, Irish Tanaiste Mary Harney said the Irish government would consider any request from the Colombian authorities for all three men's extradition. However, she confirmed that no such formal request had been received.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has also promised to consider any request from Colombia for assistance following pressure from opposition parties in the Republic.

(MB/SP)

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