25 republicans linked with Colombia rebels

Up to 25 Irish republican could have linked up with Marxist rebels in Colombia, it was claimed today.

Authorities in Bogota investigating three Irishmen who were arrested last August believe between 15 and 25 Irishmen visited the zone controlled by FARC rebels.

They also believe two other republicans were in the rebel-controlled zone at the time of the arrests and may have escaped through Venezuela.

New details which emerged today also alleged the Irishmen trained rebels in the construction of an anti-personnel mine.

The three men detained last summer are expected to face charges later this year but following the disclosure of even greater involvement by republicans, Ulster Unionists today demanded decisive action by the US authorities against Sinn Fein.

One of the three, James Monaghan, was a former member of Sinn Fein’s national executive.

The party initially denied Cuban government claims that Connolly was their representative in the country.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams later issued a statement, claiming a mistake had been made and that he was representing Sinn Fein in Cuba but his role was not sanctioned by the leadership.

Stormont economy minister Sir Reg Empey claimed: ‘‘The issues of visas and fund-raising have to be looked at. There is a clear case to answer.

According to fresh claims published jointly by the Evening Herald and by El Espectador in Colombia, two informers told prosecutors how two men trained them in the development of a ‘‘Chinese hat’’ mine.

A senior aide for the House Committee told the two newspapers today the FARC rebel zone attracted terrorists and criminals from around the world.

James MacKee claimed: ‘‘There are a collection of the most dangerous international criminals and terrorists in the rebel-held areas of the country.