CALLS FOR a cross-Border judicial inquiry into the Omagh bombing, the single worst atrocity in three decades of the Troubles, have been endorsed by the North's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Speaking in the Co Tyrone town on the 10th anniversary of the Real IRA bombing, Mr McGuinness said he wanted to support the families in their long-standing calls for such an inquiry given the poor prospects of a successful criminal prosecution.
His support was welcomed by Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the explosion, which also claimed the lives of 28 others, including a woman pregnant with twins. Mr Gallagher also called for the British and Irish governments to back an inquiry.
However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he did not want to prejudice either the families' civil action against the men they believe were responsible for the atrocity, or the criminal proceedings still ongoing in the Republic.
Making his call, the Deputy First Minister said: "I have listened to what the people in Omagh have said and the criticisms that have been made. Spokespeople have talked about their lack of faith in police and in the institutions and have demanded the establishment of an independent tribunal of inquiry."
He said enough controversy has lingered to necessitate a concerted effort to get to the truth.
Asked if he would call on those with information about the bombing to bring it to the police, Mr McGuinness said he shared "the very serious concerns about how the police handled this investigation from beginning to end.
"That is why my position is to support the calls that are made by families here for the establishment of an independent tribunal.
"They obviously have lost all faith and we have seen debacle after debacle in terms of the investigation of this terrible atrocity. What we need to do is support the families in the demands they now make."
Responding, Mr Cowen said he needed to exercise caution.
"It's a very difficult time for the families and one has to be very cognisant of that. I noted what the chief constable [Sir Hugh Orde] said in relation to the prospect of prosecution. You know there is a criminal action that is being dealt with in our own courts, so I cannot actually say anything that would in any way prejudice that issue." He said the families' civil action "seems to be the best means by which they can find out what exactly happened".
Stormont junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson said of the call for an inquiry: "Of course we will examine how we go forward, how we help the families to achieve the justice they so rightly deserve. We will look at how that might be done. But today is a day to look back and reflect . . ."
Mr Gallagher said the Taoiseach's comments "were only an excuse" not to hold a judicial inquiry. Speaking to The Irish Times he said: "What we need is more politicians, particularly at that level, coming on board and supporting the families." He called on the British and Irish governments to do the same.
"When I met Tony Blair two years ago he said, 'let's wait and see what comes out of the Hoey trial'. We did wait and we've seen what came out of it. Let the governments at least give us a commitment that we can work towards that public inquiry," he said.