Colombian court date for IRA suspects

Three suspected IRA members charged with teaching bomb-making techniques to Colombia’s left-wing rebels are scheduled to appear in court on October 4, authorities said.

For security reasons, the cases of Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley were recently moved from the provincial capital of Florencia to the capital Bogota, said Carolina Sanchez, spokeswoman for the national prosecutor’s office.

The three men were arrested last Augustat a Bogota airport after visiting a Colombian rebel stronghold. Prosecutors have accused them of training the rebels in terror tactics and explosives.

They are scheduled to appear before a special judge on October 4 for a preliminary hearing, where the prosecutor will present the evidence against them, as well as a list of witnesses, according to Augustin Jimenez, president of a foundation for political prisoners that is representing them.

The three are being held in Bogota’s La Picota prison.

‘‘They’re fine, a little desperate to get the court proceedings started as soon as possible,’’ Jimenez said. ‘‘We’re working to try to push up the date.’’