The McBrearty family said last night that they were "very optimistic" following a meeting with the Taoiseach about their campaign to have the State meet their tribunal legal costs.
During the half-hour meeting at a Sligo hotel, Frank McBrearty and his son Frank jnr told Mr Ahern they would take their case to the European Court of Human Rights if they do not receive a guarantee on their costs.
Mr McBrearty jnr later said he was "very hopeful that something will be worked out".
"We told him everything. He listened to us. He had manners, not like Michael McDowell," said Mr McBrearty, referring to the Justice Minister's refusal to meet the family two weeks ago.
He said the Taoiseach had listened to their case very carefully and had promised to report back after consulting with his Government colleagues.
The meeting was also attended by Mark O'Connell, a relative of the family, and Michael Peoples.
The four men will travel to Brussels next week to make their case to Irish and British MEPs. They will also bring their battle to the Supreme Court having lost a High Court case on the issue of their costs.
Mr McBrearty said they told the Taoiseach that all they wanted was equality with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice whose legal costs were funded by the State.
