Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is awaiting a Garda report on the circumstances leading to the arrival of the so-called Colombia Three at police stations on Thursday amid growing PD frustration that the men remain at liberty. Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent, reports.
Gardaí yesterday continued to prepare a file to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the matter. The DPP is likely to consider whether one of the men, Niall Connolly, could face charges in relation to allegedly obtaining a false passport some years ago. There is no indication that any charges are being considered in relation to James Monaghan and Martin McCauley at this stage.
Mr McDowell's spokesman repeated yesterday that the Minister had asked the Garda for a report "on the issues involved" in the men's arrival at three separate stations on Thursday. He would not elaborate on what these "issues" were.
However, after the Tánaiste and several of her party colleagues had made repeated demands to the men to talk to the Garda, there was deep PD frustration that they had done so in a blaze of publicity only to walk free.
Fianna Fáil Ministers yesterday continued to distance the Government from the decisions that have to be made in relation to the three. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said the fate of the men was now a matter for the DPP.
"We have to stand back and allow the independent [ judicial] process to take its course," Mr Ahern told the LM/FM radio station. "These are not matters within the political realm."
Minister of State Conor Lenihan said yesterday that the men's return from Colombia had been "unhelpful" to the peace process and did "nothing to develop the trust and confidence that is needed to collectively move forward".
He said the Government had no advance knowledge of their return and that the issue had not arisen in any discussions with Sinn Féin or anyone else. The Government would meet its international legal obligations and had briefed the British, US and Colombian authorities accordingly.
"The Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will examine any question of a breach of Irish law."
Mr McDowell's party colleague Senator John Minihan said yesterday that "the Minister has to be kept informed" and that "there are questions to be asked" about how the men had gone to see the Garda.
Government sources said reports that Mr McDowell was angered at the Garda handling of the affair were "exaggerated" and that his irritation primarily concerned the men's stage-managing of the events.
However, Sen Minihan's remarks suggest that the PDs believe Mr McDowell should have been told earlier of the politically sensitive fact of the men's appointments at Garda stations.
Government sources said Mr McDowell was "not surprised and not impressed" by the men's decision to make themselves available to gardaí on Thursday.
Sen Minihan said again yesterday that there was in existence an international arrest warrant in relation to the men, and said that this "has to be explored in the courts".
"For our reputation on the international stage it is vitally important that we are seen to take this matter very seriously and to do all we can."