The director of the Centre for Public Inquiry today accused Minister for Justice Michael McDowell of joining a witch hunt against him, over claims he was connected to an IRA plot to sell information to Farc guerillas.

The Irish Justice Minister has abused parliamentary privilege by repeating unfounded allegations in the Dáil, Sinn Féin claimed today.

SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams last night welcomed news the three Irishmen held in Colombia were to be released and called on the Government to “ensure the men get home safely to their families”.

Three Irishmen linked to the IRA and accused of training Colombian rebels told a judge today were only observing a now-defunct peace process in the South American country.