The delay in issuing a verdict in the case of the so-called Colombia Three raised "ominous concerns", according to Senator Mary White of Fianna Fáil. Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, reports
She was commenting on an interview given by the judge in the case, Dr Jairo Acosta, who told Associated Press at the weekend that, due to a heavy workload, he was unlikely to be in a position to issue a verdict until the end of the year or even early 2004.
Senator White, who has attended the trial as an observer, said yesterday: "This new timescale runs completely contrary to the widespread expectations of the international observers at the trial who believed that the verdict would be delivered in mid/end September."
She added: "It is a matter of concern that we are only hearing about Judge Acosta's excessive workload now." Calling on the Government to intervene, she said: "If the judge does feel he is overworked, then it would be legitimate and proper for the Irish Government to request the Colombian Government to facilitate the judge by giving him extra administrative support to facilitate a speedy verdict. This is a high-profile case which has attracted international media attention and has been attended by international observers from the US, Australia and Ireland.
"For the men and their families, this delay is cruel and shattering," she said.