The Government has confirmed today it is willing to advance €17,000 for the payment of a release bond to ensure the quick release of the Colombia Three and their return to Ireland.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, said in a statement today that funds will be made available to satisfy the terms of "conditional freedom" under Colombian law.
At the request of the Colombia Three's defence team, the Department of Foreign Affairs has indicated its willingness to advance funds to cover this cost on the basis that the sum will be repaid, Mr Kitt said.
In addition to their release from prison, the trial judge has the power to permit the men to return to Ireland after they have paid this bond.
The Government is awaiting confirmation from the men's legal representatives that the bond has been paid and that the formal request for the men's return to Ireland has been submitted to the judge.
Mr Kitt said the Government understands that the Colombian attorney general has indicated his intention to appeal the judgment in the trial of the three who were accused of training Farc guerrillas, and he has called for the men to be kept in Colombia pending the appeal.
"However, it is not yet clear if he will in fact lodge such an application," Mr Kitt said.