Terrorists Or Freedom Fighters?

As Northern Ireland mourns the dead from an Aug. 15 blast that killed 28 people, a drama is unfolding in the U.S. involving three families that that may soon be torn apart by that troubled nation's violent past, reports CBS 'This Morning' Co-Anchor Mark McEwen.

For close to two years, CBS News followed three American women whose husbands are being threatened with deportation to their native Northern Ireland because of their past sins as members of the IRA.

Monday night, CBS Touched by an Angel star Roma Downey hosts the CBS News special, Before Your Eyes: Don't Take My Daddy, the gripping real-life drama of the Morrison, Gaynor, and Magahey families. The documentary chronicles the hopes and frustrations of their fight to stay in America.

For Downey, who grew up in the same Northern Ireland town as one of the men in the piece, the topic is very near and dear to her heart.

"A lot of the subject matter dealt with in the documentary I have direct experience with," says Downey. "I have a lot of friends in America, and most people are confused by what's going on in Northern Ireland, and I thought this was an opportunity to educate in some small way."

Although the men profiled have served time for past crimes, the American government sees them as terrorists. However, the men see themselves as soldiers caught up in an age-old war.

"The question that runs through the piece is: Are these men criminal terrorists, or are these men soldiers in a war for justice and freedom?"

You can draw your own conclusions Monday night.

Before Your Eyes: Don't Take My Daddy airs on the CBS television network Monday at 10:00 p.m. EDT. Check your local TV listings for details.

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