Colombian authorities yesterday charged three suspected IRA members with allegedly training Marxist rebels and carrying false passports.
Mr Niall Connolly, Mr Martin McCauley and Mr James Monaghan, who were arrested at Bogota airport on August 11th, were formally charged with "suspected crimes of providing assistance to illegal activities" and with using false documents, Colombia's public prosecutor's office said.
The three were refused bail and can be held for 240 days while the state prepares its case against them. They were due to be transferred from a military base in the capital to an unspecified prison last night. A spokeswoman at the public prosecutor's office said the decision was based on testimony offered by the men, whom both Colombian and British officials have linked to the IRA.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said last night it was "aware of developments" in the case but was not in a position to comment further.
Colombian officials arrested the men at Bogota airport as they were boarding a flight to Paris. They had spent five weeks in a demilitarised area that the government handed over to leftist FARC rebels two years ago as part of a peace deal.
Mr Connolly (39) is from Glenageary in Dublin. Mr Monaghan, in his early 50s, is from Donegal. Mr McCauley (37), is from Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Military leaders in Colombia have accused the three men of training the FARC to make bombs and other weapons. They have denied the accusations.
The arrests have threatened to destablise the Northern Ireland peace process and have prompted speculation that the US government, which has backed Colombia's war against FARC, might clamp down on republican fundraising activities. A US State Department spokesman said Washington would deal harshly with any link between FARC and the IRA. (Additional reporting Reuter, AFP)
The main unionist parties, the UUP and the DUP, are expected to accept the new policing arrangements for the North. The SDLP decided on Monday to endorse the proposals.
Ulster Unionists indicated they were likely to agree to nominate members to the board, which could then begin work in October. The Democratic Unionist Party is expected to nominate members within the next month, according to party Sources.
Bishop calls for parties' support: page 5 Vincent Browne Opinion: 12