A cross-Border investigation of the Omagh bombing investigation cannot be held until legal proceedings have concluded, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.
Following a lengthy meeting in Dundalk, Co Louth, yesterday, the Omagh victims group was told of Dermot Ahern's support for an investigation, but that it should not happen yet.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was one of the 29 people killed in the 1998 explosion, said it was a case of delay rather than denial and he hoped a thorough investigation of the RUC/Garda handling of the Real IRA bombing investigation would eventually be mounted.
A foreign affairs spokesman said: "The Minister fully recognised the concerns of the families but he has consulted the Irish Justice Department on the issue and its advice was that any inquiry is inappropriate while criminal proceedings are pending."
Mr Gallagher said last night: "We didn't get all what we wanted. Mr Ahern said he didn't rule out a cross-Border inquiry and I would rather take hope from the positive things in the meeting. He did say there were ongoing legal hurdles that had to be overcome before we could reach that point.
"The scenario we put to him was . . . that there was no reason why we couldn't set up some sort of working liaison with the Department of Foreign Affairs so that we could examine the various options open to us as these hurdles are overcome."
A liaison officer from the department will now work closely with victims, Mr Gallagher said.
Mr Ahern paid tribute to the families on their seven-year campaign for justice.
"It is vital that the truth must come out in all these cases," he said. "I'm determined to ensure that the full facts of what happened will emerge."
Mr Gallagher added: "The Minister was very genuine and upfront with us. I would have liked him to have given us more but I understand the position he is in."
Omagh victims group met the Catholic primate, Archbishop Seán Brady, to enlist his support for their campaign last summer.
The SDLP, the DUP and Omagh council have already voiced their support for the victims.
"We have the written support of the SDLP," Mr Gallagher said.
"Omagh council, as a council, has supported our call for a full cross-Border public inquiry."