Colombia lodges formal extradition request for Irish trio
The Colombian authorities have reportedly lodged a formal request for the extradition of the three Irishmen convicted of training anti-government rebels in the South American country.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan fled Colombia after being convicted earlier this year and jailed for 17 years each.
They recently returned to Ireland and turned themselves in to Gardaí before being released without charge.
Reports this morning said papers requesting the extradition of the trio were sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
However, it remains unclear if the men will be sent back to Colombia, with legal experts predicting such a move is highly unlikely.
Colombia has no extradition treaty with Ireland and its poor human rights record would be strong grounds for blocking any extradition.
