December 16, 2004

Three Irishmen, members of the Irish Republican Army terrorist group, were sentenced to 17 years in prison for helping Colombian terrorists make bombs. Arrested in 2001, the Irishmen were acquitted of the most serious charges in their first trial, but a higher court overturned that acquittal and convicted them of terrorism. However, the men were free on bail and are thought to have fled the country. If so, they may end up back in Cuba, one of the few countries that openly shelters terrorists.