The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was snubbed by the bulk of the relatives of Omagh bomb victims today when he visited the Co Tyrone town.
The group representing the majority of the families of the 29 people killed in the "Real IRA" bomb attack in August 1998 were invited to a private meeting with Mr Ahern but on being told he would spend only five to 10 minutes with them they stayed away.
They have been seeking a meeting with Mr Ahern for the past five years to discuss whether there were failings by the Garda in passing on information to their counterparts in Northern Ireland which could have prevented the bomb attack.
Instead of seeing Mr Ahern for a few minutes Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son died in the bombing, and his relatives group travelled to Dublin for a pre-arranged meeting with the leader of Fine Gael, Mr Enda Kenny.
In a statement this evening, Mr Kenny said the relatives had been "treated disgracefully" by the Government.
"It is a disgrace that five and a half years after the single worst atrocity in Northern Ireland the Taoiseach has failed to have a proper meeting with the families of the 31 people killed and the many others badly injured," Mr Kenny said.
Mr Ahern did meet a handful of relatives in private at the Omagh District Council offices after meeting with councillors and local community groups.
And instead of the five to 10 minutes they had expected they got 30 minutes to talk with Mr Ahern.
Mr Lawrence Rushe, who lost his wife in the bombing, said afterwards the meeting had been cordial but "not all that fruitful". Mr Rushe added: "I told him I was concerned at the brevity of the meeting which did not allow for in-depth discussions."
However he said the group had been impressed by what Mr Ahern had to say and he had given them "some hope" that those responsible for the bombing may one day be brought to justice.
But he added: "It is nearly six years and we need a bit more than hope, we need justice."
Ahead of the discussion Mr Ahern was shown around the regenerated site of the bombing by Mr Allan Rainey, Ulster Unionist chairman of the council.
Mr Ahern went on to the nearby memorial garden where he laid a wreath to the victims of the bombing and stood for a few moments staring at the marble monument with its simple inscription "To honour and remember 15 August 1998".
Afterwards he insisted there would be "no rest" by police in their quest to bring the bombers to justice.
"We will do everything we can, we will co-operate on every level. This was a huge atrocity, the most savage atrocity of all of the troubles and will never let up on our investigations."