IRA suspects 'could face terrorism act charges'
Three Irishmen suspected of training Marxist guerrillas in Colombia could be taken before British courts if they are deported from the South American country.
Northern Ireland's Alliance Party is pushing for the men to be tried under the Terrorism Act 2000 which they say allows British and Irish citizens to be tried in the UK if suspected of terrorist activity overseas.
The three, currently being held in Colombia on charges of using illegal documentation and training rebels from the Marxist FARC terrorist movement, could face up to 20 years imprisonment if tried and convicted.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jim Monaghan can be held for eight months before they must be officially charged or released.
Stephen Farry, justice spokesman for the cross-community Alliance Party, said: "What we are saying is: If for some reason the men cannot be prosecuted in Colombia, the Government should bear in mind if the three are deported that there is a provision in the Terrorism Act to try British and Irish citizens suspected of terrorist activity overseas.
"In particular, Section 54 of the legislation talks about the training in the use of explosives and firearms as a terrorist offence. There are a lot of questions out there about what happened in Colombia.
"Those have implications not just for our peace process but also internationally, raising questions about the IRA's involvement with other terrorist organisations. A court case might be the best way of establishing what really went on."
The men were travelling on false British and Irish passports when they were arrested as they prepared to board a flight from Colombia to Paris on August 11.
The three are suspected of having spent five weeks in an area of Colombia which is controlled by FARC, training the group's members in urban terrorism.
