The families of the victims of the Omagh bombing have said they are “devastated” there is to be no public inquiry into the 1998 atrocity.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has informed relatives there would be no inquiry into the circumstances surroudning the Real IRA bombing.
She has told them she did not believe there were “sufficient grounds” to justify a further investigation.
Twenty-nine people, including three school children from Buncrana, died in the attack.
Defending decision, Ms Villiers said “it was not an easy decision and that all views had been carefully considered.”
She added the ongoing investigation by the Police Ombudsman was the best way to address any outstanding issues relating to the police investigation.
Last month relatives of the victims of the bombing said they were prepared to go to court to force the British and Irish governments to hold a full public inquiry into the bombing.
Relatives from the Omagh Self Help Group have said they are devastated by the decision after a letter informing them of the Ms Villiers’ decision was hand-delivered to them this morning.
They believe information an attack was going to take place was not shared between police forces on both sides of the border as well as intelligence services, including the FBI and MI5.
Defending her decision not to hold a public inquiry, Ms Villiers said: “The fact remains the Real IRA carried out the bombing in Omagh on 15 August 1998, murdering 29 people and injuring many more. Responsibility is theirs alone.
“I sincerely hope that the ongoing police investigation will bring to justice those responsible for this brutal crime.”
The Secretary of State said she has offered to meet the Omagh Support and Self Help Group to explain her decision further.
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