The fate of the three Irishmen freed from jail in Bogota, Colombia, is not expected to be decided this week. Meanwhile,efforts by Sinn Féin campaigners to have them sent back to Ireland have been stepped up.
Mr Martin McCauley, Mr James Monaghan and Mr Niall Connolly were released from La Modelo jail on Tuesday.
They were found not guilty, on April 26th, of training Marxist FARC guerrillas in bombing techniques. They were, however, found guilty of the lesser charge of travelling on false documents.
The not-guilty verdict was appealed by the Colombian Attorney General and the men were held in detention pending an examination of the case.
A tribunal was petitioned to allow the men to return to Ireland during proceedings. However, Ms Marta Lucia Tamayo, who chairs the appeal tribunal, declined the request and is now understood to be on holidays.
There were indications last night that it could be at least two or three months before any ruling is made in the appeal case.
Even if the appeal went in the men's favour, that decision could be the subject of a further appeal to the Colombian supreme court which could take some years.
The three men are now at a secret location and their security has been arranged privately by supporters.
Two Sinn Féin Assembly members, Ms Caitríona Ruane and Mr Gerry Kelly, are in Bogota and have called on the Government to press for the men's release.
They claim that the three remain under threat from right-wing paramilitaries so long as they are forced to stay in Colombia.
Mr Kelly, in a statement, said: "Due to the seriousness of the situation the three men sought leave to return to Ireland during the dangerous period between now and the appeal."
He continued: "It is astonishing given the imminent danger they face and given the intervention of the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, that the Colombian magistrates have refused this request.
"I am now calling on the Irish Government to make representations to the Colombian authorities to get this matter sorted out as soon as possible for the safety of the men."