 Furthermore, what appears to be a similar or identical mortar technology has been used since 1998 by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).ETA in Spain was in 2001 rumoured to have built mortars "very similar" to the IRA's.The possible transfer of this mortar technology to the FARC was a central issue in the arrest in August 2001 and later trial of the so-called Colombia Three group of IRA members who were alleged by Colombian authorities and the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs to have trained FARC in the manufacture and use of this mortar technology.