The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister have issued a joint statement on the second anniversary of the Omagh bombing, saying the explosion in the Co Tyrone town was one of the darkest episodes in the history of the Troubles.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair also issued a fresh appeal for those with information on the bombing to come forward. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and all those still struggling to cope with the legacy of that evil deed." They said it had been the intention of the bombers to stoke up conflict and to bring down the Good Friday agreement, against the expressed wishes of the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland, North and South.
They said the two governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland were continuing to build a society based on democracy and justice. "But, as we have been reminded again in the past few days, there remains some - a tiny and unrepresentative minority - who are determined to maintain a campaign of violence in the face of overwhelming rejection by their fellow citizens."
Despite intensive investigation on both sides of the Border, which have been a model of co-operation between the RUC and the Garda, it remained a matter of regret that there had not yet been more charges. "Justice demands that all those responsible for the horror that was Omagh are brought before the courts and to that end we call on anyone with fresh information about the atrocity to come forward."
They said both governments were resolute in their commitment to prevent those still bent on violence from "pursuing their evil plans". "That is what society, especially those who have suffered so grievously in Omagh and elsewhere, has a fundamental right to expect."