The family of one of the suspected IRA members being held in Colombia has said that they fear for his safety.
Paddy Connolly fears that his brother Niall could be targeted by right-wing paramilitaries because of alleged connections with rival FARC rebels. He claimed that the paramilitaries are easily able to smuggle weapons into the prison in Bogota.
Mr Connolly said that his brother Niall was a strong supporter of the peace process. He added that he would be surprised if Niall was acting on behalf of the IRA in South America. He was speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme.
Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were arrested in Bogota on 11 August. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are to visit the three men this week.
Paddy Connolly said that the Irish Government had to put pressure on the Colombian authorities to ensure the men's safety. He said that there were reports that the men feared for their safety in Bogota.
He added that a message received yesterday from his brother said that the atmosphere in the prison was tense. He also questioned whether the men would get a fair trial in Colombia.
