IRA suspects face Columbia terror charges

With the IRA insisting their ceasefire is still intact, convictions could leave Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein leadership dangerously exposed.

The republican party’s West Tyrone Assemblyman, Barry McElduff, was tonight travelling to Colombia on a five-day trip to act as an observer at the opening of the trial.

Ever since they were arrested at Bogota Airport 14 months ago the three men have protested their innocence.

Mr McElduff said: “Sinn Fein has been voicing concern at their continued detention and the fact that their right to a fair legal process is being denied.

“We are also greatly concerned about the safety of the men and the fact that their lives are at serious risk.”

But unionists have accused republicans of seeking to develop weapons in preparation for a possible new military campaign.

The clamour for Sinn Fein to be expelled from the power-sharing regime in Belfast has reached new levels.

David Trimble’s Ulster Unionists have already set republicans a New Year deadline to guarantee the IRA has disbanded.

A conviction for the three Irishmen in Colombia before then could, however, take matters out of Sinn Fein’s hands.

Mr Trimble would face seemingly unbearable pressure to quit the Stormont cabinet and collapse the devolved institutions.

Vital political backing for Sinn Fein in Irish America would also evaporate if the IRA was proved to be co-operating with an organisation on which the US authorities have waged war.

The three accused have claimed they were travelling in Colombia on a sightseeing trip.

But prosecutors have prepared a 300-page indictment outlining their case against the men.

McCauley and Monaghan went to Colombia on false passports to develop a gas cylinder mortar that has since killed hundreds of people, they are expected to claim.

Lawyers will also argue the pair were accompanied by Connolly – Sinn Fein’s link man in Cuba – who acted as an interpreter.

All of this was done with the full knowledge of the republican leadership in Ireland, according to the prosecution.

A FARC driver turned informer has testified that he saw them in territory controlled by the narco-terrorist outfit.

Forensic evidence alleging drug and explosive residue was found on the men’s baggage will also be presented during the trial, which is expected to last two months.

Claims of radio intercepts referring to men bringing Semtex into Colombia cannot be used in court.

Defence lawyers are set to argue all three men could not have been in the country when witnesses claimed to have spotted them.

They are also expected to claim that after their arrest, the men’s bags were put on a table in a military compound used for storing detonators.

Campaigners fighting to secure the three men’s release were outraged that no tests were carried out on their clothing or swabs taken from their bodies.

They claim it is now impossible for justice to be done.

Caitriona Ruane, who is heading the Bring Them Home Campaign, insisted the court action should not be allowed to proceed.

She said: “The lawyers for the three men are very concerned that they will not receive a fair trial and that their case has already been prejudiced by public comments made by senior political and judicial figures in Colombia.

“It’s also important to note that the men will be tried in a one judge, no jury court and that the country is under a state of emergency.”

Ms Ruane claimed key elements of the prosecution case such as forensic reports and paid informers have been withdrawn or discredited.

“Given the absence of any evidence other than the possession of the false passports, which is a minor charge dealt with through deportation, and the fact that they can’t receive a fair trial, we are calling for the men to be released and sent home to their families.”