Three men held in Colombia over Christmas period

The Government is being asked to use its presidency of the EU as an opportunity to ensure three Irishmen being held in Colombia are returned home.

Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jim Monaghan are spending their third Christmas in jail.

They have been put on trial on charges of training farc rebels in Colombia, but there is still no verdict, almost five months later.

A report by a group of Irish, American and Australian lawyers and political figures concluded they have not received a fair trial and there is no evidence to link them to the charges.

Catriona Ruane of the 'Bring Them Home Campaign' says the Government is not doing enough.