News observers at the trial of three alleged IRA members suspected of training Colombian FARC guerillas today called on the Government to intervene and halt the case.
The delegation which travelled to Colombia to observe the trial of Mr James Monaghan, Mr Martin McCauley and Mr Niall Connolly made the plea as they arrived back in Dublin this afternoon.
The ten-strong group, which included members of the Oireachtas, made their way back to Ireland after the trial was suspended when witnesses failed to turn up.
Speaking today at Dublin airport, Ms Catriona Ruane, spokeswoman for the Bring Them Back campaign, said prejudicial comments had contaminated the hearings.
"The trial process of these three Irish citizens is irreparably contaminated by deeply prejudicial statements made by senior government and military officials," she said.
"We are calling on the Irish government, because of the irreparable damage to the trial process, to ensure that the Colombian state halts this process and sends the men home.
"This is the only adequate remedy. This is because international law demands that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done." Ms Ruane, whose organisation co-ordinated the delegation, said that the priority was for the Government to halt the case, but that if that was not done steps must be taken to ensure a fair trial in February.
Amongst the group that travelled to Colombia to observe the trial were Independent TD Mr Finian McGrath, Sinn Féin's Mr Sean Crowe, Fianna Fáil Senator Mary White and Mr Paul Hill of the Guildford Four. At a press conference this afternoon the delegates spoke of the contamination of the case by pre-trial publicity.
They told of their visits to the men in prison and raised the concern that it would now be impossible for them to get a fair hearing.
Ms Ruane said the Bring Them Back campaign would now be having discussions with the Government and writing to the Colombian authorities.