'Colombia Three' face abuse as they enter court

Protesters screamed “Killers!” as defence lawyers for three Irishmen entering a Colombian court today.

The three, accused of giving terror training to left wing Colombian rebels, were to have their futures determined by a judge today.

“We find it intolerable that the IRA is coming to Colombia,” said Juan Carlos Pulido, a leader of Wounded Colombia, the group that organised the protest outside the court in the capital Bogota.

About 20 protesters waved signs – one of which read “IRA, go home and kill your own people”.

Workers flocked to the windows of nearby offices to watch the commotion.

“I wouldn’t be totally hopeful that these men will receive a fair trial” given the climate in Colombia, said Barry McElduff, a Sinn Fein member.

“Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?”

The judge is expected to decide if the three have a case to answer and, if so, set a trial date.

Prosecutors in Bogota have accused the trio of training the rebels in terror tactics and explosives.

If convicted, they face 15 to 20 years in prison.

Their local lawyers have insisted the men – known as the Colombian Three - cannot get a fair trial in the South American nation.

They insisted the charges had been trumped up by the Colombian government, and that it was capitalising on the case to win more counter-terrorism aid money from the US.

“These three men must not become victims or guinea pigs in this global fight against terrorism,” said Pedro Mahecha, the lawyer for James Monaghan.

Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Monaghan were arrested at Bogota airport on August 11 last year after visiting a rebel stronghold in southern Colombia.