Colombia Three will not damage peace process - SF

Sinn Féin claimed today that the return of the Colombia Three to Ireland will not damage the peace process.

It emerged yesterday that Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan, who were sentenced to 17 years in jail in Columbia last December, are now back in Ireland.

The men were convicted of training Marxist FARC rebels but disappeared while on bail.

The DUP has reacted angrily to the re-appearance of the men. However, Sinn Féin's vice president Pat Doherty today rejected claims that this could damage relations with Unionists.

Meanwhile, according to the latest Sunday Business Post opinion Poll, voter attitude towards Sinn Féin is softening.

Almost half of those surveyed said they would be happy the see the party in a coalition government.

This was the opinion of voters before news about the Columbian Three broke.

The Business Post's political correspondent Pat Leahy says it could lead to several more seats for the party in the next General Election.