IRISH REACTION:THE FOUNDER of the Irish Ingrid Betancourt Committee has said the fight to have hostages held by Farc rebels in Colombia freed is "not over yet".
Anne O'Connell, a French language teacher at St Joseph's College in Lucan, Co Dublin, said she was "just thrilled and very happy" that Ms Betancourt had been freed. She also said she was optimistic that the French-Colombian politician would visit Ireland.
Ms O'Connell founded the Irish committee she says because she was an admirer of Ms Betancourt and also because she was "ashamed" of the alleged connection between Farc rebels and the so-called 'Colombia Three'.
"I am proud of my country but I was not proud of the alleged activities of three Irish citizens. I felt totally ashamed that here was this wonderful woman being held by an organisation with apparent connections to citizens of my country. Not that I am responsible for what my fellow citizens do but that's what spurred me."
Ms O'Connell was joined by others and the committee lobbied local councillors. A number of councils passed motions in support of Ms Betancourt, who was made a freewoman of Balbriggan, which her daughter Mélanie and husband Juan-Carlos Lecompte accepted on her behalf in 2002. Ms O'Connell described the rescue as a very good end.
"It's not over yet though. There are still hundreds of hostages stuck in the Colombian jungle and the fight goes on to free them."
Kitty Holland