The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has announced a major review of his force's investigation into the Omagh bombing. He has set up a special team of detectives to re-examine the inquiry in a new attempt to bring charges against the dissident republicans who were responsible.
The "Real IRA" claimed responsibility for the blast, in which 29 people were killed in August 1998. Sir Ronnie disclosed that officers from Greater Manchester and the Metropolitan Police, including those who reviewed the murder of the television presenter Jill Dando, have already advised the squad.
The independent assessment is the first of its type to be carried out by the RUC.
Security sources on both sides of the Border claim to have identified those involved in the bombing, but say they are unable to charge them because of insufficient evidence.
Only one man has been charged in connection with the bombing. Mr Colm Murphy, a builder and publican from Ravensdale, Dundalk, will stand trial in Dublin next year.
Sir Ronnie said that the review would be detailed and thorough. "We owe nothing less to the relatives," he said. "The original investigation was, and continues to be, of the highest order, and this is merely an application of fresh minds to review everything that has been done.
"We want to be absolutely satisfied beyond any doubt there are no avenues left unexplored. It is desperately difficult. We have very good intelligence, but intelligence in a liberal democracy does not equal evidence that can be presented before a court.
"We will continue the quest to bring these people to justice. We believe we know the identities of those responsible for the Omagh bomb, but putting that belief in a framework of evidence that a court would accept is what we are continuing to endeavour to do. We'll not give up in that quest."
The review team, based at Antrim RUC station, is being headed by Chief Supt Brian McVicker, one of the RUC's most experienced investigators.
Relatives of those killed were yesterday informed of the development. Some of the families have already spoken of their frustration at the failure to bring charges, but it was made clear yesterday that the review was not an attempt to find fault with the inquiry headed by Chief Supt Eric Anderson.
More than 2,000 people have been interviewed and over 3,000 statements have been taken by police. There was also a huge forensic inquiry and a detailed check on mobile telephone calls. Police sources claim to have identified at least seven people they believe planned and carried out the bombing.
Almost 80 suspects were questioned on both sides of the Border during the investigation.
The review is the first in Northern Ireland to be carried out under guidelines set out by the Association of Chief Police Officers and is expected to last two months. Supt McVicker said: "This is not a reinvestigation. We are here to support the task force commander, Eric Anderson, in his efforts to bring those responsible to justice."
However, some relatives expressed a fear that the review could be a prelude to a scaling down of the Omagh investigation. Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son was killed in the explosion, said: "The whole world knows what happened, but people find it inconceivable nobody has been brought to justice. It seems to make a mockery of law and order."
Mr Gallagher said he hoped that the RUC review team would have access to Garda files. "Terrorists co-operate with each other throughout the world, so why shouldn't the police? We are aware of the names of the people who are suspected and we find it all so frustrating. If the FBI knew the names of those who bombed the World Trade Centre, would they let them go?
"The British and Irish governments could have passed more effective legislation. The right resources have not been applied and that is because of political considerations."