Opinions as to the fate of the 'Colombia 3' vary, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
Voters are almost evenly divided over whether the three men convicted of training Farc terrorists should be made serve the 17-year sentences imposed on them in Colombia, or should instead remain in Ireland, possibly to be investigated and charged.
According to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, 24 per cent believe the "Colombia Three" should be extradited back to Colombia to serve the 17-year sentences imposed on them after an appeal tribunal last December overturned a not-guilty verdict which was reached in the initial trial.
Some 18 per cent say the men should be required to serve these 17-year sentences in Ireland, while 33 per cent believe they should be investigated and charged in Ireland if there is evidence they committed offences here, and 11 per cent they should be allowed to remain in Ireland without further action being taken against them.
One per cent chose none of these options and 13 per cent gave no opinion.
The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.
Therefore, 42 per cent believe that the sentences imposed in Colombia should be served, either in Colombia or in Ireland. Some 44 per cent believe they should not be served and that either the men be investigated and charged here, or allowed remain here without further action being taken.
Fine Gael and PD voters take a somewhat harder line on the issue than average, while Sinn Féin voters, followed by Labour supporters, take the softest view.
The breakdown of Fianna Fáil voters' views is very close to that of the national average.
Some 29 per cent of Fine Gael voters believe the men should be extradited to Colombia, 12 per cent that they should serve their sentences here, 30 per cent that they be investigated and charged here if there is any evidence that they committed offences, 7 per cent that they remain in Ireland without any further action being taken, and 12 per cent said they don't know.
Among PD voters, not one person sampled in the poll said they should be allowed remain in Ireland without further action being taken, an outcome which reflects - and is reflected by - the strong stance taken by Minister for Justice Mr McDowell that they should face consequences. Some 23 per cent believe they should be extradited to Colombia, 2 per cent that they should serve their sentences here, 43 per cent that they should be investigated and charged in Ireland if there is evidence that they committed offences here, and 11 per cent don't know.
In contrast, just 4 per cent of Sinn Féin voters believe they should be extradited back to Colombia, 12 per cent that they be required to serve their sentences here, 32 per cent that they be investigated and charged if there is evidence against them here, and 43 per cent that they be allowed remain in Ireland without action being taken against them. Some 1 per cent opted for none of these and 8 per cent don't know.
Some 24 per cent of Labour voters believe the men should be extradited to Colombia, 9 per cent that they be required to serve their sentences in Ireland, 40 per cent that they should be investigated and charged if there is evidence that they committed offences here, 13 per cent that they should be allowed remain in Ireland without any further action being taken against them and 10 per cent don't know.
Among Green Party voters, 2 per cent believe they should be extradited back to Colombia to serve their 17-year sentences, 1 per cent that they be required to serve their sentences here, 41 per cent that they be investigated and charged in Ireland if there is evidence that they committed offences here, 1 per cent that they be allowed remain in Ireland without further action being taken and 12 per cent don't know.
Finally, 26 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters believe they should be extradited back to Colombia, 18 per cent that they should be required to serve their 17-year sentences in Ireland, 34 per cent that they be investigated and charged in Ireland if there is evidence that they committed offences here, 7 per cent that they be allowed remain in Ireland without any further action being taken, 1 per cent chose none of these and 13 per cent don't know.