An Irish citizen identified as Mr Jeremy Parks, aged 40, was killed by Colombian army troops yesterday during clashes with left-wing rebels in the north-western province of El Choco, close to the Panama border.
Colombian television last night showed images of army soldiers carrying the dead body of the Irishman from the combat zone, wearing military fatigues and plastic boots. It is common practice for left-wing rebels to dress their kidnap victims in army fatigues during transfers from one hiding place. It is not clear whether the Irishman was in the company of the rebels due to a prior kidnapping or whether he was fighting alongside them.