02 August 2003
36
R. Linda:
As if the three bar code makers weren't enough, there comes this about three more Irish rascals, I mean nationals who got into trouble merely because they were sight-seeing. Yes, a holiday gone wrong in Colombia, South America. Who'd a thunk it?
It was the summer of 2001, and as it was told, three Irishmen by the names of Monaghan, McCauley and Connolly took themselves for a holiday in Colombia. Yes, the vacation place we all want to go to. Nothing like hot, sweltering jungles, kidnappings, executions, guerilla warfare, drug trafficking, corrupt law enforcement, and lots and lots of poor folks. Smacks of paradise, doesn't it, though?
I can understand how that might appeal to an Irishman. Gads, all those shades of green back home could blind a sod and not to mention bullets whizzing by your face if you should venture north of the Republic. And hey, let's not forget the sheep in the pastures. I mean, marijuana is more picturesque than dots of white fluff scattered along the countryside. And, most of all, since the peace process in Ulster wasn't exactly working, maybe observing the one in Colombia between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC -- don't ask, it is Spanish and backwards) and the Colombian government would make a fine model to take back home.
It came to pass that our three Irish holidaymakers found their way to the hot, steamy jungle and the FARC. Unfortunately, the peace process was dumped in February 2002, and unfortunately, our three vacation-bent Irishmen decided to stay and see what would happen. The only problem was the Colombian government said the FARC suddenly became proficient in the making of explosives and terrorist tactics -- much like those used in Northern Ireland. None of the FARC being Irish, how could this be?
The government sent undercover operatives into the jungle and they reported back the appearance there of three vacationing Irishmen. On running a check on the three sun worshippers, it turns out they are IRA men. Monaghan is the most famous among the lot with the most prison time in Britain, and the Irish Republic both. And for what you ask, it seems he got 13 years for unlawful damage, conspiracy and possession of . . . oh no, explosives!
Connolly, on the other hand, had moved to Cuba before his holiday in Colombia and actually had a job. He served as the Latin American representative for Sinn Fein. And, his excuse for being in Colombia wasn't a holiday, he said; he was invited to join the field trip because he spoke Spanish! It was the other two's fault he was even there. They needed an interpreter, and well . . . it was learned he spent a great deal of time with what he called ex-combatants in Nicaragua and El Salvador before his holiday in Colombia. Hum.
McCauley was probably the get-away driver because he had nothing to say. And well, he was sulking and still smarting over the police ambush at the IRA arms dump in 1982, which he hasn't forgotten and is still angry over.
They were arrested at the airport after getting wind of the government looking for three European tourists scampering about the jungle playing war games. They've been cooling their heels in the nick for a long time. By my calculation, they've holidayed for nigh on two years now, and have had ample time to observe the non-existent peace process up close and personal.
At trial recently, all three kept to the story they were observing the peace process and were gently reminded by the prosecution that the peace process had been defunct for a while and what peace process, where, were they observing?
Monaghan, nattily dressed in tropical Irish holiday wear (a bright turquoise shirt with tie and red shorts), read a statement through his spectacles saying, "The charge of training the FARC is a false charge, based on false evidence." It struck me his statement sounded familiar because I do believe he read nearly the same statement to the Queen's Bench back home regarding the IRA. Anyway, the prosecutors contended the three (who had false passports - that in a moment) had come to Colombia to train FARC members in the use of explosives and terrorist tactics.
As to the excuse for the false passports, well, of course, after having been persecuted by the British for their "political views" and involvement in the Irish Peace Process (which they were merely there to observe as well), it was necessary because they didn't want to be seen as "hostile" elements. Of course, who wouldn't do that? Understandable, wouldn't you agree? Oh, and they did deny being members of the IRA. They didn't know where that came from. Especially McCauley, who was very surprised to know he was considered an IRA member, even after being found red-handed with his hands in the IRA arms dump back home and serving some time for IRA activities.
What makes this all the more remarkable is that the defence lawyers have stated the prosecution witnesses were seeing things when they said they saw the trio testing weapons and training FARC rebels in terrorist attacks. They say the three were not in Colombia at the time the prosecutors say they were. What a defensive team! Now you see 'em, and now you don't. Remind me not to get in trouble holidaying in Colombia when I wasn't really there to begin with.
For your viewing pleasure, here are the holidaying lads.
R. Linda:
As if the three bar code makers weren't enough, there comes this about three more Irish rascals, I mean nationals who got into trouble merely because they were sight-seeing. Yes, a holiday gone wrong in Colombia, South America. Who'd a thunk it?
It was the summer of 2001, and as it was told, three Irishmen by the names of Monaghan, McCauley and Connolly took themselves for a holiday in Colombia. Yes, the vacation place we all want to go to. Nothing like hot, sweltering jungles, kidnappings, executions, guerilla warfare, drug trafficking, corrupt law enforcement, and lots and lots of poor folks. Smacks of paradise, doesn't it, though?
I can understand how that might appeal to an Irishman. Gads, all those shades of green back home could blind a sod and not to mention bullets whizzing by your face if you should venture north of the Republic. And hey, let's not forget the sheep in the pastures. I mean, marijuana is more picturesque than dots of white fluff scattered along the countryside. And, most of all, since the peace process in Ulster wasn't exactly working, maybe observing the one in Colombia between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC -- don't ask, it is Spanish and backwards) and the Colombian government would make a fine model to take back home.
It came to pass that our three Irish holidaymakers found their way to the hot, steamy jungle and the FARC. Unfortunately, the peace process was dumped in February 2002, and unfortunately, our three vacation-bent Irishmen decided to stay and see what would happen. The only problem was the Colombian government said the FARC suddenly became proficient in the making of explosives and terrorist tactics -- much like those used in Northern Ireland. None of the FARC being Irish, how could this be?
The government sent undercover operatives into the jungle and they reported back the appearance there of three vacationing Irishmen. On running a check on the three sun worshippers, it turns out they are IRA men. Monaghan is the most famous among the lot with the most prison time in Britain, and the Irish Republic both. And for what you ask, it seems he got 13 years for unlawful damage, conspiracy and possession of . . . oh no, explosives!
Connolly, on the other hand, had moved to Cuba before his holiday in Colombia and actually had a job. He served as the Latin American representative for Sinn Fein. And, his excuse for being in Colombia wasn't a holiday, he said; he was invited to join the field trip because he spoke Spanish! It was the other two's fault he was even there. They needed an interpreter, and well . . . it was learned he spent a great deal of time with what he called ex-combatants in Nicaragua and El Salvador before his holiday in Colombia. Hum.
McCauley was probably the get-away driver because he had nothing to say. And well, he was sulking and still smarting over the police ambush at the IRA arms dump in 1982, which he hasn't forgotten and is still angry over.
They were arrested at the airport after getting wind of the government looking for three European tourists scampering about the jungle playing war games. They've been cooling their heels in the nick for a long time. By my calculation, they've holidayed for nigh on two years now, and have had ample time to observe the non-existent peace process up close and personal.
At trial recently, all three kept to the story they were observing the peace process and were gently reminded by the prosecution that the peace process had been defunct for a while and what peace process, where, were they observing?
Monaghan, nattily dressed in tropical Irish holiday wear (a bright turquoise shirt with tie and red shorts), read a statement through his spectacles saying, "The charge of training the FARC is a false charge, based on false evidence." It struck me his statement sounded familiar because I do believe he read nearly the same statement to the Queen's Bench back home regarding the IRA. Anyway, the prosecutors contended the three (who had false passports - that in a moment) had come to Colombia to train FARC members in the use of explosives and terrorist tactics.
As to the excuse for the false passports, well, of course, after having been persecuted by the British for their "political views" and involvement in the Irish Peace Process (which they were merely there to observe as well), it was necessary because they didn't want to be seen as "hostile" elements. Of course, who wouldn't do that? Understandable, wouldn't you agree? Oh, and they did deny being members of the IRA. They didn't know where that came from. Especially McCauley, who was very surprised to know he was considered an IRA member, even after being found red-handed with his hands in the IRA arms dump back home and serving some time for IRA activities.
What makes this all the more remarkable is that the defence lawyers have stated the prosecution witnesses were seeing things when they said they saw the trio testing weapons and training FARC rebels in terrorist attacks. They say the three were not in Colombia at the time the prosecutors say they were. What a defensive team! Now you see 'em, and now you don't. Remind me not to get in trouble holidaying in Colombia when I wasn't really there to begin with.
For your viewing pleasure, here are the holidaying lads.
 |
| Connolly, Monaghan, McCauley |
Gabe
Copyright © 2003 All rights reserved
Copyright © 2003 All rights reserved
