Verdict in Colombia Three trial may be delivered today

A verdict in the trial of the three Irish republicans charged with training anti-government rebels in Colombia could be delivered today.

The presiding judge has revealed his intention to issue his judgement either today or on Monday.

James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly have been in prison in the South American country since their arrest in August 2001 at Bogota International Airport.

They had just left an area controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and were subsequently charged with training the left-wing rebels in bomb-making techniques.

The three men have denied the charges and have insisted they were in FARC-controlled territory to study the now defunct Colombian peace process.