The Sinn FΘin president, Mr Gerry Adams, has admitted that one of the three republicans arrested in Colombia was the party's representative in Cuba. Sinn FΘin originally denied that Mr Niall Connolly had represented it in Cuba in any official capacity. Mr Adams said the denial had been issued in "good faith" but at a time when not all the facts had been available.
"This statement was made in good faith and based upon the information available at the time. Since then two Sinn FΘin representatives have visited Cuba and we have carried out a thorough internal investigation."
It had emerged that one of the party's senior members had asked Mr Connolly to represent Sinn FΘin in Cuba, Mr Adams explained. "This decision was taken without the knowledge or authorisation of the international department or any other party structure including the party chairperson and myself. Proper procedures were not employed in this case." Mr Connolly (36), from Dublin, was one of three republicans arrested in Bogota in August on suspicion of training members of the left-wing FARC militia in explosives and for travelling on false passports. Security sources had insisted he was the republican movement's contact in Cuba since 1996 but Sinn FΘin vehemently denied the claims.
Mr Adams said yesterday Mr Connolly had acted in good faith in his dealings with the Cuban government and in lobbying and information activities. He said he regretted and apologised for the embarrassment caused by his party's initial response, particularly to Mr Connolly's family.
"This, however, does not affect in any way Sinn FΘin's position in respect of the three arrests in Colombia. It remains my view that Sinn FΘin has no case to answer over the Colombia arrests. We endorse the campaign for the early release of Niall Connolly, Jim Monaghan and Martin McCauley and their return home to their families."
The SDLP chairman, Mr Alex Attwood, said Sinn FΘin's explanation was not satisfactory. "The statement is not - and many will not view it - as a full account or full explanation. Further information is still required," said Mr Attwood.
Meanwhile, Senator Joe Costello has defended his decision to put his signature to an advertisement carried in national newspapers calling for the three men to be brought home. Senator Costello told RT╔'s Liveline programme yesterday he signed the "Bring Them Home" petition on humanitarian grounds because he believed the men's lives were in danger and they would not get a fair trial. "At this distance we are very unsure as to what happened.
"The only way you can find out exactly what happened is when a court hearing takes place and a court hearing can only take place properly in democratic conditions where everybody has a fair say, where there is proper legal representation and where people have an opportunity to prepare their case. All of that has been pretty much denied at the present time."