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08/06/2004
Sinn Fein visit highlights plight of Colombia Three
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has arrived in Colombia to visit three jailed Irishmen found not guilty of training terrorists.
Mr Kelly arrived in Bogota over the weekend to visit James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley at the invitation of the Bring Them Home Campaign.
Mr Kelly said: “These three men have been in prison in Colombia under threat of death for almost three years. They have been found innocent of the charge of training the FARC by a Colombian court yet they have been unable to return home to their families in Ireland.
“It is vital that the spotlight remains on this case and that the campaign for the return of the three men continues.
“There is no basis for the appeal currently being mounted by the Colombian Attorney General and the men’s lives are undoubtedly under threat. It is vital that the three men are allowed to leave Colombia and return home safely to their families in Ireland.”
Mr Monaghan, Mr Connolly and Mr McCauley were cleared of training Marxist rebels in Colombia in March.
All three men had been free to leave their jail cells but have refused to pay the fines to enable them to leave jail. They claim their lives would be at risk if they were not offered some sort of protection from authorities.
While Judge Jairo Acosta denied such a claim, he said that if the men were allowed to return home to Ireland there were no guarantees they would return to Colombia for the appeal.
An appeal against the verdict was launched immediately, however it could be several months before the case comes to court.
(MB)
Mr Kelly arrived in Bogota over the weekend to visit James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley at the invitation of the Bring Them Home Campaign.
Mr Kelly said: “These three men have been in prison in Colombia under threat of death for almost three years. They have been found innocent of the charge of training the FARC by a Colombian court yet they have been unable to return home to their families in Ireland.
“It is vital that the spotlight remains on this case and that the campaign for the return of the three men continues.
“There is no basis for the appeal currently being mounted by the Colombian Attorney General and the men’s lives are undoubtedly under threat. It is vital that the three men are allowed to leave Colombia and return home safely to their families in Ireland.”
Mr Monaghan, Mr Connolly and Mr McCauley were cleared of training Marxist rebels in Colombia in March.
All three men had been free to leave their jail cells but have refused to pay the fines to enable them to leave jail. They claim their lives would be at risk if they were not offered some sort of protection from authorities.
While Judge Jairo Acosta denied such a claim, he said that if the men were allowed to return home to Ireland there were no guarantees they would return to Colombia for the appeal.
An appeal against the verdict was launched immediately, however it could be several months before the case comes to court.
(MB)
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14 May 2004
Colombia Three to stay in jail until prosecution appeal heard
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has expressed his "deep anger and concern" at the news that the Colombia Three are not to be allowed home until the prosecution appeal of their innocent verdict is heard. James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley were last month cleared of training Marxist rebels in Colombia.
Colombia Three to stay in jail until prosecution appeal heard
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has expressed his "deep anger and concern" at the news that the Colombia Three are not to be allowed home until the prosecution appeal of their innocent verdict is heard. James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley were last month cleared of training Marxist rebels in Colombia.
16 June 2004
Colombia Three leave jail cells
Three Irishmen falsely accused of training Marxist rebels in Colombia have left their cells, six weeks after being acquitted. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan had been free to leave their jail cells but refused to pay the fines to get them out of jail.
Colombia Three leave jail cells
Three Irishmen falsely accused of training Marxist rebels in Colombia have left their cells, six weeks after being acquitted. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan had been free to leave their jail cells but refused to pay the fines to get them out of jail.
10 August 2005
Allister calls on EU to pressurise Dublin over Colombia Three
DUP MEP Jim Allister has taken steps to ensure that "the Irish government does not provide sanctuary" for the 'Colombia Three' following their return to the Republic of Ireland last week.
Allister calls on EU to pressurise Dublin over Colombia Three
DUP MEP Jim Allister has taken steps to ensure that "the Irish government does not provide sanctuary" for the 'Colombia Three' following their return to the Republic of Ireland last week.
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.
17 June 2004
Whereabouts of Colombian Three unknown
The whereabouts of three Irishmen cleared of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia is still unknown. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan left their Bogota jail on Wednesday six weeks after being acquitted of training right-wing militants over three years ago.
Whereabouts of Colombian Three unknown
The whereabouts of three Irishmen cleared of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia is still unknown. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan left their Bogota jail on Wednesday six weeks after being acquitted of training right-wing militants over three years ago.
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