Irish delegation to depart for Colombia Three trial

A delegation of Irish politicians, lawyers and human rights activists is due to fly to Colombia today for the trial of the three Irishmen accused of training anti-Government rebels in the South American country.

Sinn Fein TD Sean Crowe and independent TD Finian McGrath are among the group and will be joined later by Senator Mary White of Fianna Fail.

Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley were arrested in Bogota 15 months ago after leaving a section of the country controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a rebel army that has been fighting the government for almost 40 years.

They were subsequently charged with providing explosives training to the FARC guerrillas.

The three men, all of whom have links with the republican movement, have denied the charges.

Their trial begins on Monday.