Three suspected IRA members charged with teaching bomb-making techniques to Colombia’s left-wing rebels are scheduled to appear in court on October 4, authorities said.

Three Irishmen detained for the last six months by the authorities in Colombia on suspicion of training left wing rebels are being denied a fair trial, their supporters claimed tonight.

Hardline unionists tonight warned the Northern Ireland peace process has suffered a hammer blow after a guerrilla deserter claimed IRA members provided weapons and explosives training to Colombian rebels.