Irish govt make plea to Columbia

[seemslikeadream]

WEDNESDAY 19/05/2004 17:14:23
Irish govt make plea to Columbia

The Irish government has sent official letters to Colombian authorities urging them to allow three Irishmen to return home, it was confirmed today.
By:Press Association

Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley have been told they cannot leave the country until an appeal against their convictions is heard.

They were found guilty in a Bogota court last month of travelling on false passports but cleared of training Marxist Farc rebels.
The Colombia Attorney General`s office is appealing the not guilty verdicts on the terrorism charges.

Brian Cowen, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said both he and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had sent personal messages to the Colombian president and foreign minister calling for the men to be allowed home.


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http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=45871&pt=n


Colombia Three in grave danger, says McGuinness
14/05/2004 - 17:27:39

Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has claimed the lives of the Columbia Three are in grave danger.

Mr McGuinness has called on the Government to intervene to ensure the men get home safely while they await their appeal.

His fear is that Martin McCauley, Niall Connolly and Jim Monaghan may have to wait several years while awaiting the Prosecution Appeal process.

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