Republican News · Thursday 7 November 2002

Colombia three Moved for the sixth time in 14 months

The three Irishmen facing trial in Colombia were moved without warning last week to the notorious El Modelo jail in Bogota Colombia, reports Caitriona Ruane, spokesperson for the Bring Them Home Campaign.

Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jim Monaghan have now been moved between prisons six times in 14 months.

"The men's lawyers have visited them in El Modelo and have had discussions with the Colombian Authorities requesting guarantees for their safety and for the safety of the lawyers visiting them," said Ruane. "The Irish government has also been in touch with the Colombian Authorities and Ombsudmans Office."

Cristin McCauley, wife of Martin McCauley said " we have always said that there is no safe jail in Colombia for Martin, Jim or Niall. Their lives have been in constant danger. It has been hell for the families. We are constantly worried and every time the phone rings we fear the worst. We are calling on the Colombian Authorities to release the men. "

Three weeks before the men's trial was due to begin, Niall Connolly was moved by helicopter to Combita, a jail three hours outside Bogota. Following lobbying by international human rights agencies, the Bring Them Home Campaign and the Dublin government, he was moved back to La Picota.

The trial began on 4 October, reconvened on 16 October and is now scheduled to continue on 2, 3 and 4 December.

"It is very unsettling for the men to be moved from jail to jail while they are preparing for their trial," said Caitríona Ruane. "During their time in El Modelo, El Dijin and La Picota jails, there have been constant threats to their lives, there was a food poisoning scare, and loaded guns were found in cells next to them. At times they were in inhuman and degrading conditions and international human rights agencies had to intervene."

Meanwhile, it was revealed on Tuesday that the Dublin government has not yet decided whether to send a legal observer to the trial, as requested by the men's families. Minister of State John Browne, in response to a question from Independent TD Finian McGrath, said a decision woud be made in light of "an assessment of all aspects of the issue".

McGrath had pointed out in his contribution that despite all the hype, there is no real forensic evidence against the three and the only case against them is that of travelling under false documentation.