Fine Gael, Labour and Independent TD Finian McGrath have each called for an inquiry following the outcome of the Omagh bomb trial this week. However, Government spokesmen were taking a cautious stance on the issue.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said: "It would be highly irregular to make a comment on a judicial decision outside our own jurisdiction." A spokesman for Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern was equally tight-lipped: "Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are carefully studying the judgment."
However, Fine Gael justice spokesman Charles Flanagan called on the Garda Commissioner to launch an inquiry into the conduct of the force in relation to the Omagh bombing.
In addition to concerns in Northern Ireland, Mr Flanagan said: "There is a lot of disquiet in this jurisdiction as well." He added: "Much of that disquiet is around the role of the gardaí. There have been allegations that warnings that were given to the gardaí prior to the tragic event were not acted upon in the manner in which they might.
"The Garda Commissioner should institute an inquiry to examine these allegations and a report should be prepared for the Minister for Justice which should in turn go to Government. At that stage it may become clear whether or not there is need for an independent inquiry. There is a large degree of disquiet and many questions that remain unanswered," Mr Flanagan told The Irish Times.
Labour's spokesman on human rights Joe Costello said in a statement: "Last January the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission jointly decided to recommend to the Irish and British governments that a judge of international standing should be appointed to review all available material on the bombing and to decide whether it would be appropriate to institute a cross-Border public inquiry.
"The Labour Party supports that call and I believe the Taoiseach must now, when it becomes clear that no other ways of arriving at the truth are available, do all within his power to have this inquiry put in place, as quickly, economically and effectively as possible."
Independent TD for Dublin North Central Finian McGrath, who has a political arrangement to support the Government, said he was "appalled" at the manner in which the families of the victims were treated and he would be meeting the Taoiseach to request a public inquiry.
He said: "In January I'm going to the Government and the Taoiseach and requesting that there be a major public inquiry in relation to this particular issue in the South, because there are certain aspects to the case that were handled in a very unprofessional manner. I also have major concerns about the serious possibility of agents being involved either directly or indirectly in this particular atrocity. We need to get to the truth on this matter."
Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said: "I think Mr Justice Weir's comments raise serious concerns for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in their handling of this case. The judgment will not help to alleviate the pain the people of Omagh have suffered during the last nine years and I trust the Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, will be doing what he can to address this to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
