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Fri 01 Jan 2007Colombia lifts visa rule for Irish visitorsThe visa requirement for Irish visitors to Colombia has been lifted, following representations from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern. The restriction was introduced following the August 2001 arrest of the "Colombia Three" on terrorism charges at Bogota's El Dorado Airport.The three Irishmen - Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan - were initially found not guilty on the main charges of training FARC guerrillas, but this was reversed on appeal. However, they jumped bail and returned to Ireland rather than serve their 17-year sentences.