The US State Department has expressed its concern at the recent arrest of three suspected IRA members in Colombia. The department confirmed that it has been in contact with Sinn Féin to do so.
The US has already said that it would look very unfavourably on any link found between the IRA and FARC rebels in Colombia.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were detained on 11 August in Bogota. They were charged with training Marxist rebels and carrying false passports.
Despite last minute appeals from their lawyers, the men were last night transferred to Bogota's La Modelo prison, where they can expect to spend up to eight months in custody.
Sinn Féin has denied any involvement with the men. Richard Reeker of the US State Department says that the US government has told Sinn Féin directly that, if a link is discovered between the men and the political party, it could have lasting implications for Sinn Féin.
The Minister for Justice has meanwhile said that he would be disappointed if any Irish citizen was involved in training terrorist groups anywhere in the world. John O'Donoghue was speaking at a graduation ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore where 133 men and women graduated today.
The Minister said that he would not comment specifically on the case of the three Irish men in Colombia because it was now before the courts and it would be inappropriate to do so.
