MEXICO: The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has asked the Colombian president, Mr Alvaro Uribe, to seek the return of the "Colombia Three" to Ireland pending the outcome of an appeal in their case.
Mr Ahern was meeting last night with Mr Uribe on the margins of the EU-Latin America summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. He suggested to Mr Uribe that the men should be allowed return to Ireland instead of being released on bail in Bogota.
Earlier this month, a Bogota judge denied a petition to allow the so-called "Colombia Three" to return to Ireland.
While they could be released on €17,000 bail, their defence team says their lives would be in danger in Bogota.
Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley were convicted on a charge of travelling on false documents in April but found not guilty on charges of training terrorists in bomb-making techniques. They received sentences of between two and four years.
The Taoiseach's spokesman said: "He is going to point out that it is the Irish Government's belief that the best way to ensure the safety of the three Irishmen would be to allow them to return to Ireland pending the hearing of the appeal.
He will also point out that we know it is a matter for the Colombian courts. However, anything that can be done at a political level there that would advance this outcome would be helpful."
The appeal process could take up to eight months. A second appeal, lodged initially by the office of the Inspector General, has since been dropped.
The Government is expected to pay any bail in the instance.
