Colombian rebels 'used IRA manuals'

THE IRA is linked to two detailed explosive manuals found in the possession of Marxist rebels in Colombia, a army major yesterday told the trial of three alleged IRA men accused of training the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Major Carlos Eduardo Martiz said the two manuals were found in late 2001 or earlier this year after raids in a southern FARC safe haven. He said the manuals contained information on high-grade explosives and pipe bombs. Such bombs were first used in Northern Ireland before they were used in Colombia, he added.

Maj Martiz also said that leading members of FARC had travelled to Europe for training and that relatives of one leading commander had also travelled to Europe to collect similar information.