Does Dublin believe Columbia 3 in IRA? - If so why no charges?
19 August 2005
“The release of the Columbia 3 focuses attention again on whether the Republic has the will to do other than provide sanctuary for these international terrorists.
As our Extradition Act in the UK demonstrates the existence of an extradition treaty with the requesting country is not a pre-requisite to handing over convicted terrorists. Legislation, as ours does, can provide for special requests. Dublin could pass such legislation.
Moreover, if the Republic had the will to act against these men it is not without powers. I issue this challenge: Do senior Garda believe these men to be members of the IRA? If so, the Republic’s legislation allows conviction of membership on evidence from such senior officers Why then, has Dublin not used this immediately available weapon while it puts in place adequate extradition legislation?”
