Republican News · Thursday 30 November 2001

Colombia Three moved

The three Irishmen being held in colombia have been moved for the third time. The unsettled nature of the men's detention reflects the constant danger they face whilst awaiting the outcome of an investigation which could take eight months. They have been moved to La Picota prison in Bogota.

Their families have been advised that there is no safe place of detention for the men in Colombia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen met recently with his Colombian counterpart, Fernandez de Soto Guillermo. The Bring Them Home Campaign has acknowledged the minister's efforts but is calling on the Dublin government to support its call for the return of the men on the grounds that their lives are in constant danger and because the prejudicial coverage in the Colombian media means the men cannot get a fair trial.

Campaign spokesperson Caitríona Ruane said: "The Dublin Trades Council, Paul Hill, Johnny Walker, musicians, artists and thousands of signatories are supporting these three Irish citizens. It is time that the Irish government recognised that these men cannot get a fair trial in Colombia and request their return."

A public meeting organised by Coiste na nIarchimí in support of the three is to be held in Belfast on Thursday 29 November at 7pm.

The meeting to be held in St Mary's college on the Falls Road in Belfast will hear from Caitríona Ruane and Johnny Connolly, a brother of Niall Connolly.

Meanwhile the Colombian lawyers who are representing Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly are icoming to Ireland to visit the families of the three. Jose Luis Velasco, Pedro Maecha and Augustin Jimenez are to see the families and update them on what is happening because of the visa restrictions placed on Irish people travelling to the South American country by the Colombian government. The trio are expected to meet with human rights groups and the Irish lawyers who are representing the men and are expected to be in Ireland some time next week.