Irish diplomat called as a witness in Colombian trial

A SENIOR Irish diplomat is set to take the witness stand in the Colombian trial of three Irishmen accused of helping to train left wing guerrillas in the use of mortars.

Sile Maguire, of the Irish Embassy in Mexico, has agreed to take the stand after defence lawyers for Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jim Monaghan indicated they wanted to call her as a witness. The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed Ms Maguire has agreed and will be one of a number of witnesses due to be called by the defence after the trial resumes tomorrow.

Others include forensic expert Dr Keith Borer, aid worker Ros O’Sullivan, former republican prisoner Laurence McKeown and the producers of a video one of the accused, Mr Monaghan, allegedly shot in Belfast on a date when he was supposed to have been in Colombia.

Ms Maguire has already submitted an affidavit stating she met Mr Connolly in Cuba on a date that prosecution witnesses have alleged he was in the FARC-controlled area of the south American country.

In addition, more than 60 sworn affidavits are to be presented in court, from among others TD Jim O’Keeffe, Deirdre Davitt, of Foras na Gaeilge and the employers of Mr Monaghan and Mr McCauley. The defence hearings are expected to last up to four days.

Caitriona Ruane, of the Bring Them Home campaign, said Paul Hill, one of the Guildford Four, Sinn Féin TD Sean Crowe, and Senator Mary White, of Fianna Fáil, will return to Colombia as observers.

Ms Ruane said: “Next Tuesday the case of the defence will begin and a number of key witnesses will provide evidence to refute the testimony of prosecution witnesses who falsely stated that the men were in Colombia on a number of specified dates between 1998 and 2001.”

The three are accused of giving material assistance to the FARC, including training in the use of mortars that, it is alleged, have killed many innocent people over the last year.