Suspicion still rife of Colombia Three deal

SUSPICION of a secret deal between the Government and Sinn Féin on the return of the Colombia Three persisted last night, despite outright denials from both sides.

As the Northern Ireland Office starkly warned that the three would immediately be arrested and prepared for extradition if they crossed the Border into the North, the largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), challenged Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to make a similar commitment.

“These three men were intricately involved in the global terrorist network,” said DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson.