It has been an awful week for the families affected by the Omaghbombing. Dan Keenan in Belfast assesses their feelings and how thePolice Board will handle the Flanagan/O'Loan dispute
Pity the families of the Omagh dead. Far and above what they have already endured this was for them a roller-coaster week.
First, there was the conviction of Colm Murphy on Tuesday. For some this was a double-edged sword. Relief that someone had been charged and found guilty was tinged by the fact that this is the only conviction after three-and-a-half years and that there was one hell of a storm over the conduct of the investigation that was supposed to bring more suspects to justice.
Then there was the Chief Constable's response to the Ombudsman's criticisms of the RUC investigation. Leaked in good time for the BBC to make a documentary programme - as was the case with Nuala O'Loan's report - the families have put up with a drip-drip of detail from Sir Ronnie's report during the week followed by Thursday's deluge.
His marathon meeting with them in Omagh seemed to leave more than a few blinded by detail. For all his efforts at a line-by-line rebuttal of Mrs O'Loan in defence of his officers and his reputation, Sir Ronnie seemed to succeed in muddying the waters rather than clearing all the allegations made against him and the RUC. He certainly failed to sway the families entirely to his view of events.
They had to figure out the political significance of the appearance by two senior gardaí. Then, having concentrated on the exhaustive detail of the Chief Constable's version of events and the intensity of their question and answer session with him, the relatives then put up with the, at times tasteless, media scrum outside in the carpark. The calm reflection of the likes of Messrs Gallagher and Rush after all that had happened shone through.
If there was hope after the events of Thursday it lay in the fact that both the Chief Constable and the Ombudsman indicated a willingness to put their differences in context and to work to bring the bombers to book. Sir Ronnie talked about their mutual professionalism, his support for outside scrutiny and declared a preparedness to "ring fence" their difficulties and get on with the job.
Mrs O'Loan, in her brief statement, said it was time to call a halt to the exchange of hostilities and address the issues. And they are the establishment of the best possible policing service for Northern Ireland and the best possible investigation of the Omagh atrocity.
Despite the fact that the Ombudsman is adamant and the Chief Constable is defiant, it is to be hoped that the two of them can meet their aspirations.
If indeed the truce holds, attention will shift now to the Policing Board. Its members meet next on Thursday, February 7th and individual meetings with Sir Ronnie and Mrs O'Loan are expected.
Despite holding supreme authority, the Northern Secretary seems only too ready to let the board get on with it. Dr John Reid's statement on Thursday indicated a willingness to stand back from everything and let the board prove itself.
Against the odds it has already pulled one rabbit out of the hat in agreeing a new police symbol - one that included a crown and a harp - thus clearing a potential thumping headache for the Northern Ireland Office.
Although the board has divided along traditional lines on the question of the Omagh investigation, it is still charged with finding the next step forward.
Among the decisions still to be taken is that concerning the future of Sir Ronnie. He has already resigned and is currently working his compulsory three-months notice which runs out at the end of February. The board, having already accepting his resignation, can allow him to go then, or require him to stay for an additional period and change the circumstances under which additional notice is served.
Some members, on both sides of the political divide, were irked when police sources indicated earlier this month that Sir Ronnie was prepared to continue until a successor was found. They believe firmly the timing of his departure is their say-so and not his and that his deputy can take over until a replacement is agreed.
What is clear is that, as one member explained to The Irish Times, the board cannot "un-resign" the Chief Constable.
But for now, the week ends with the sentencing of Colm Murphy and, not for the first time, families of the murdered being asked for their reaction. All the main players in this bizarre drama, from the Chief Constable to the Ombudsman to the Garda and the NIO, have the relatives' needs at heart and there is no reason to disbelieve them.
Some relatives could be forgiven however, for wondering whose needs are really top of the agenda.