IRA suspects moved to notorious jail

The three Irishmen arrested in Colombia almost two weeks ago have been moved from a military barracks to one of the most notorious prisons in South America.

James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly were moved to La Modelo jail after they were formally charged yesterday with carrying false passports and training Marxist rebels.

La Modelo prison has earned its reputation because of serious overcrowding and because of ongoing clashes between left-wing guerrilla inmates and pro-Government right-wing paramilitaries.

In May, prison officers searching inmates’ cells found 32 guns and 49 grenades.

Two months later, 10 inmates were killed and 22 injured when a gunfight erupted between the paramilitaries and the rebels.

Lawyers for the three Irishmen, who are suspected members of the Provisional IRA, said they could be in grave danger from enemies of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the group the men are accused of training.

Niall Connolly’s family has also urged Foreign Minister Brian Cowen to ensure the men are safe while awaiting trial.