Columbia Three reject government protection

The three Irishmen awaiting an appeal in Colombia have refused government protection, citing the Colombian army's alleged links…

The three Irishmen awaiting an appeal in Colombia have refused government protection, citing the Colombian army's alleged links to right-wing death squads.

Mr Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were released from prison on Tuesday after paying fines for their convictions of carrying fake passports. They immediately went into hiding

The three men have hired armed guards and are now  in a secret location in Colombia.

The Colombian government is appealing against their release and seeking to bring new charges.

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Lawyers for the men had previously complained about the Colombian government's failure to provide security guarantees.

The Bring Them Home campaign is trying to urge the Irish Government to intervene on the trio's behalf, but Irish authorities have said the case is out of their hands.

The Colombian government has said it is not opposed to the men returning to Ireland, but that it was up to the courts to decide.

AP