Pressure urged to get Irish trio free

THE Government has been urged to put fresh pressure on the Colombian authorities to secure the return home of three Irishmen released from prison on Tuesday.

The trio, Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan, who were acquitted of training left wing guerillas in bomb-making techniques, still fear for their lives following their release.

Catriona Ruane, the high profile head of the Bring Them Home campaign, said the three were safe, but she added: “Their security is the fact that they are in an undisclosed location.”

Ms Ruane said: “We are going to talk to the government and ask them to make representations at the highest level.”

Colombian prosecutors are appealing the trio’s acquittal and magistrates in the capital Bogota have ordered that they do not leave the country.

The Bring Them Home campaigners insist they are being kept at the behest of the country’s Attorney General. Vice-President Francisco Santos has said the government has no objection to them returning home if the Irish government can guarantee they will return if the appeal is successful.

The three were acquitted on the bomb-making charges in late May but convicted of entering the country on false papers. With time served and after paying a fine, they were released on Tuesday evening.

Ms Ruane said it was not known when the appeal hearing would take place but the three men’s lawyers said it could take a year. “The wheels of justice grind very slowly here.” Family members of the three men have not travelled to Colombia, but have been in touch with them.

The Bring Them Home campaigner said the three are disappointed and surprised at the decision not to allow them return to Ireland pending the appeal.

“Colombia is not a secure environment for the men,” said Ms Ruane. “The judge’s decision that the men were innocent of the serious charges should have been the end of the matter. We believe it is unjust that they have to remain in the country. They remain in very difficult and dangerous circumstances.

“We are calling on the Colombian Judicial system to expedite this case in the interests of natural justice.” We are calling on Bertie Ahern to make urgent representation to President Uribe on this matter.

“The men are in good spirits and we look forward to the men returning to Ireland to be reunited with their families.”