SF delegates to meet Colombia Three lawyers

Two Sinn Féin delegates have arrived in Colombia to meet the lawyers of three republicans convicted of training Marxist rebels.

Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were sentenced to 17 years in prison after an appeal court reversed their previous acquittals of the charge.

The three vanished on Thursday while on bail awaiting the court decision.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly and Caitriona Ruane touched down in Bogota last night and are expected to speak with the men's lawyers later.

Colombian authorities have begun a search for the men while Interpol is preparing to issue international arrest warrants.