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15/08/2001
Colombians begin questioning IRA suspects
Colombian authorities have begun interviewing three IRA suspects arrested in Bogotá last Saturday on charges of training Marxist rebels.
The Colombian army have said they have strong evidence as part of their prosecution including secret film against the trio, Martin McCauley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly.
It has been alleged the men were training local Marxist rebels in explosives and terrorist tactics.
Colombian Defence Minister Senor Gustavo Bell told a news conference the three were arrested in Bogotá on Saturday after spending five weeks training members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The men are charged of training members of the guerrilla group Farc in bomb making and allegedly carrying false passports. If convicted they could face maximum prison terms of 15-20 years.
Garda sources have indicated that all the men are believed to be members of the IRA. Further affirmation of the men’s past came from Colombian Commander-General Jorge Enrique Mora who told the BBC: “It has been confirmed to us by the authorities in Northern Ireland that they are the IRA. They belong to the engineering department of the IRA – those who make the bombs, the explosives and the custom-made weapons”.
It has now emerged that two of the men arrested had held senior positions within Sinn Féin. Photographs have come to light, which show Danny Morrison and James Monaghan at a Sinn Féin ard fheis in 1989.
However, Alex Maskey of Sinn Féin has denied that any of the three men arrested in Colombia were members of his party.
He said on Wednesday one of the three, James Monaghan had been a member of the party’s executive, but had left in 1989 or 1990. He also said Martin McCauley had been an election worker in Lurgan in 1996 but had never been a member of Sinn Féin. Mr Maskey said Sinn Féin before had never heard of the third man, Niall Connolly.
Unionists have reacted angrily to the Columbian arrests claiming it provided further proof that the IRA cessation of violence was not permanent but merely a tactical ploy to squeeze concessions out of the British government. (AMcE)
The Colombian army have said they have strong evidence as part of their prosecution including secret film against the trio, Martin McCauley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly.
It has been alleged the men were training local Marxist rebels in explosives and terrorist tactics.
Colombian Defence Minister Senor Gustavo Bell told a news conference the three were arrested in Bogotá on Saturday after spending five weeks training members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The men are charged of training members of the guerrilla group Farc in bomb making and allegedly carrying false passports. If convicted they could face maximum prison terms of 15-20 years.
Garda sources have indicated that all the men are believed to be members of the IRA. Further affirmation of the men’s past came from Colombian Commander-General Jorge Enrique Mora who told the BBC: “It has been confirmed to us by the authorities in Northern Ireland that they are the IRA. They belong to the engineering department of the IRA – those who make the bombs, the explosives and the custom-made weapons”.
It has now emerged that two of the men arrested had held senior positions within Sinn Féin. Photographs have come to light, which show Danny Morrison and James Monaghan at a Sinn Féin ard fheis in 1989.
However, Alex Maskey of Sinn Féin has denied that any of the three men arrested in Colombia were members of his party.
He said on Wednesday one of the three, James Monaghan had been a member of the party’s executive, but had left in 1989 or 1990. He also said Martin McCauley had been an election worker in Lurgan in 1996 but had never been a member of Sinn Féin. Mr Maskey said Sinn Féin before had never heard of the third man, Niall Connolly.
Unionists have reacted angrily to the Columbian arrests claiming it provided further proof that the IRA cessation of violence was not permanent but merely a tactical ploy to squeeze concessions out of the British government. (AMcE)
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17 August 2001
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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.
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.
12 June 2019
Billy McKee Dies Aged 97
A former IRA leader has died at the age of 97. Billy McKee died at his home in Belfast on Tuesday, 11 June. He is believed to have joined the IRA in the 1930s. He left and joined Sinn Féin in the 1980s.
Billy McKee Dies Aged 97
A former IRA leader has died at the age of 97. Billy McKee died at his home in Belfast on Tuesday, 11 June. He is believed to have joined the IRA in the 1930s. He left and joined Sinn Féin in the 1980s.
13 May 2009
Bail For Sinn Féin Men Accused Of IRA Links
A Special Criminal Court in the Republic has bailed two Sinn Féin men charged with IRA membership. The charges were brought against Tom Hanlon and George Hegarty as part of an investigation into the £26.5m Northern Bank heist in 2004.
Bail For Sinn Féin Men Accused Of IRA Links
A Special Criminal Court in the Republic has bailed two Sinn Féin men charged with IRA membership. The charges were brought against Tom Hanlon and George Hegarty as part of an investigation into the £26.5m Northern Bank heist in 2004.
16 December 2016
Two Former Soldiers To Be Prosecuted Over Murder Of IRA Man
Two former soldiers are to be prosecuted in connection with the fatal shooting of an Official IRA man in Belfast in 1972. Joe McCann, who was a prominent member of the Official IRA, was fatally shot in the Markets area. The pair, known as Soldier A and Soldier C, are the surviving members of the Army patrol who shot Mr McCann.
Two Former Soldiers To Be Prosecuted Over Murder Of IRA Man
Two former soldiers are to be prosecuted in connection with the fatal shooting of an Official IRA man in Belfast in 1972. Joe McCann, who was a prominent member of the Official IRA, was fatally shot in the Markets area. The pair, known as Soldier A and Soldier C, are the surviving members of the Army patrol who shot Mr McCann.
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
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