Speaking in the European Parliament during a debate on Colombia DUP MEP, Jim Allister, made fresh allegations concerning Sinn Fein/IRA's involvement in Colombia.

Mr Allister, naming James Monaghan as a top Provo bomb-maker, said the purpose of the ill-fated visit by the 3 IRA men in 2001 was to perfect "a fuel air bomb". The DUP MEP further alleged that there were 3 visits in all and that the IRA was paid 6 million dollars for the expertise and training imparted.

In the course of his speech Mr Allister said, "Regrettably, terrorists from Northern Ireland have helped destabilise Colombia.  In 2001 a top IRA bomb-maker, called James Monaghan, and two others were captured in Colombia while imparting terrorist expertise to the drug-funded Marxist guerrillas of FARC.

Their mission was to perfect a fuel air bomb, with specialist equipment provided by the IRA.  Already in two earlier visits, all organised by Sinn Fein's resident representative in Cuba, the IRA had passed on to FARC its skill in making car bombs and mortars.  Car bombs and mortars, identical to those designed by the IRA, have since been used regularly by FARC, including the mortar attack which killed 12 during the Presidential inauguration.

In return for its deadly expertise Sinn Fein/IRA received 6 Million dollars and the people of Colombia received mass murder and destruction.

The Colombian adventure illustrates, for me, just how far Sinn Fein has to travel before it could be properly considered fit for government in any part of Ireland."

Click here to view the full speech made by Jim Allister in the European Parliament