Adams Cuba trip 'may still go ahead'

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is still considering a visit to Cuba this month despite the arrests of three suspected IRA members in Colombia, according to a spokesman.

Mr Adams has been urged by Irish American allies in Washington, such as leading US Congressman Peter King, to reconsider the trip which will include a meeting with Cuban president Fidel Castro.

Irish American supporters are uneasy about the impact of a visit by the Sinn Fein leader to Cuba following the arrests by Colombian authorities early last month of Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan.

The three Irishmen are accused of using illegal documentation and of training left wing FARC rebels in urban terrorism.

The suspects are being held in the high security La Mondelo prison following the decision by the Colombian authorities to further investigate their activities.

They can be held for eight months before they must be officially charged or released.

But Colombian authorities have warned that each man faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment if found guilty.

Mr Adams had wanted to travel to Cuba to personally thank Mr Castro for his country’s support for the republican movement over the years - particularly during the 1981 hunger strikes which saw 10 IRA and INLA prisoners die in the Maze Prison.

A Sinn Fein spokesman has denied a report in the Sunday Tribune newspaper quoting a senior Sinn Fein source as saying the trip could be shelved.

‘‘Discussions were continuing last week involving our international department about arrangements for the trip,’’ the spokesman said.