McLaughlin confirms knowledge of arrested men

Sinn Fein has confirmed that some of the three suspected republicans detained in Colombia are known to the party, but has insisted that there is no basis for concluding the arrests have any bearing on the peace process.

The men were arrested on suspicion of training left-wing rebels in the South American state.

Party spokesman Mitchell McLaughlin said that information on the arrests is "very scant".

"People have been arrested, noboy has been charged, nobody has signed confessions," he said.

Referring to the IRA statement withdrawing its decommissioning plan, he said it was "no surprise" after their offer was last week rejected by unionists.