US Congressional hearings inspired by the arrests of three Irishmen in Colombia last summer have damaged any hopes of them getting a fair trial, campaigners for Mr Niall Connolly, Mr James Monaghan and Mr Martin McCauley claimed today.
Ms Catriona Ruane of the Bring Them Home Campaign said unsubstantiated claims were made at public hearings organised by the US House of Representatives' International Relations Committee yesterday which could undermine the men's right to a fair trial.
Ms Ruane said: "We are deeply disturbed by public allegations made against Niall Connolly, Jim Monaghan and Martin McCauley at the Congressional hearings.
"During its deliberations a series of unsubstantiated claims were made which can only further prejudice any future trial in Colombia.
"Already reports of the Congressional hearings have been published in Colombia."
The three men were arrested in Colombia last August on suspicion of training left wing FARC guerrillas and for travelling on false passports.
The three deny the first charge and are currently awaiting trial.
The US Congressional committee chaired by Mr Henry Hyde heard in Washington yesterday claims that up to 15 IRA members were in the south American country between 1998 and 2001.
A report laid before the committee also alleged that the IRA was part of a network of terror groups linked to FARC which included Iranians, Cubans and possibly, Basque separatists.
However, the report's findings were criticised by the Democratic Congressman Mr William Delahunt who initially pressed for an inquiry into links between Irish republicans and FARC.
Mr Delahunt claimed it was full of allegations but short of hard evidence.
Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams turned down an invitation to testify before the committee.
Nevertheless, he claimed the hearings vindicated: "Sinn Fein's position that we have no case to answer in respect of the allegations levelled against our party."
Ms Ruane today attacked comments made by Colombian Army chief Mr General Fernando Tapias and the chairman of the committee Mr Hyde.
She also rounded on Colombian President Andres Patsrana for also claiming the IRA was involved in training the rebel group.
The campaigner continued: "For these reasons and because these incidents have further heightened the dangers facing the men in La Picota jail in Bogota, we are calling on the Irish Government to protect the rights of those Irish citizens and demand their immediate and safe return to their families in Ireland.
"From the moment of their arrest their legal and human rights have been breached."
The wife of one of the three men, Mr Martin McCauley today also called for the trial to be dropped.
Mrs Cristin McCauley insisted: "They cannot obtain a fair trial in Colombia. Their lives are in danger. Bring them home now."
PA