The Omagh bombers have not been brought to justice because of a "devil's backdoor deal" struck between the "Real IRA" and the Irish and British governments, a unionist Assembly member has claimed.
Mr Oliver Gibson, of the Democratic Unionist Party, accused both governments of guaranteeing the freedom of those responsible for the bombing in return for a ceasefire by the "Real IRA" last September.
Mr Gibson's claim follows a meeting this week between detectives involved in the cross-Border investigation of the bombing which killed 29 people and injured more than 300 on August 15th last year.
One man has been charged in connection with the bombing and is due to stand trial in Dublin later this year. Five men have been identified as directly linked to the attack, but detectives fear the gang responsible may never be caught.
Mr Gibson, whose cousin's daughter, Ms Esther Gibson, was killed in the attack, said there had been "promises from the authorities and the enactment of draconian laws in the wake of the bomb to help police find the killers".
But, he said, he was convinced a deal had been done between the "Real IRA" and both governments for a ceasefire from the organisation in return for the non-prosecution of its members. Mr Gibson said the British government's role in this situation was "central", but that the Irish Government "bore more responsibility".
"We were assured by Bertie Ahern and Bill Clinton that no stone would be left unturned and that the people who carried out the bomb would be put behind bars, but the people of Omagh have been misled. All they have got is a PR job," said Mr Gibson.
Mr Philip McGarry, the Alliance Party president, said the only appropriate memorial to the victims of the Omagh bombing was a permanent end to violence and the setting up of stable political structures.
He said: "Over the coming days we shall doubtless be hearing many fine words about how the Omagh bomb has changed things in Northern Ireland and there will never be a similar atrocity. The sad reality is that one year on from that terrible day, the situation in Northern Ireland is one of continuing crisis in the overall process.
"Systematic intimidation and violence is being carried out by organisations allegedly committed to the Good Friday agreement. The only genuinely worthwhile tribute to those who suffered at Omagh is, rather than fine words and wishful thinking, a complete end to all violence and intimidation."