Prospects for an early release of the so-called "Colombia Three" may have improved following a decision to drop one of the appeals in the case.
Three Irish nationals, James Monaghan (58), Martin McCauley (41), and Niall Connolly (38), were acquitted last month on a charge of training Colombia's FARC guerrillas.
An appeal against the verdict was lodged by the Colombian Attorney General. However, a second appeal, lodged initially by the office of the Inspector General, has since been dropped.
The three were convicted on a lesser charge of using false passports, and given sentences of between two and four years. They could be released on €17,000 bail, but their defence team says their lives would be in even greater danger on the streets of Bogotá. Instead, the defence asked the judge to allow them leave the country because their lives were under threat. The judge may rule on this today.