CORMAC J. BREATNACH,
A chara, - It is a basic tenet of our legal system that one's right to a fair trial is such a fundamental right (and a human right) that the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that belief on more than one occasion. The Columbia 3 as Irish citizens are entitled to this protection no matter what.
I write on behalf of a family who suffered under this legal system and whose brother was wrongly convicted for his alleged part in the Sallins Mail Train Robbery of 1976, but who was fortunate enough to have been released by the Courts after a public campaign which succeeded in mustering support from all quarters on his behalf. It took 4 years to achieve his release. Another 13 years were to follow before Osgur Breatnach, Brian McNally and Nicky Kelly were to be "publicly exonerated".
We hope, however, that the "Colombia 3" do not have to wait as long. We are saddened and outraged at the recent events which resulted in three of our public representatives being forced to cancel their participation in an all-party delegation due to attend the prisoners' trial as observers.
Colombia's appalling record on human rights is self-evident. It is all the more hurtful to the prisoners' families that an attempt to sabotage the trip - an honourable trip - has taken place even before the delegation has left. The very least the Labour, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties can now do is to refund the families the cost of the airline tickets plus other associated costs, visas, etc., incurred by them for Messrs. Costello, Curran & Bradford.
We are also saddened that Amnesty International, apparently, has not agreed to send an observer to the trial although, meanwhile, it issues statements of concern. The late Sean MacBride, founder member of the world-wide Amnesty organisation made it his point to attend the appeal hearings when he was alive. I don't believe his memory, or his organisation's interests are being best served by the refusal to send an observer. - Yours, etc.,
CORMAC J. BREATNACH, An Baile Ard, Cnoc Rátha, Ráth Droma,
Co. Chill Mhantáin.
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Madam, It is refreshing to read about Finian McGrath's expression of concern over the treatment of the three Irish men awaiting trial in Colombia. Perhaps he will apply the same level of humanitararian attention to victims of the Provisional IRA's human rights violations when he returns from South America.
He could simply have taken the Enterprise service to Belfast, a quick flight to Derry, or a drive into South Armagh, to learn about the kind of human rights abuses that occur in Ireland. In doing so, he could learn about what happens when the Provisionals decide to do away with due process and carry out sentences imposed by their own trials.Yours, etc.,
DEAGLAN O'DONGHAILE, Messines Park, Derry.