A representative of relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing has written to the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, seeking clarification of the force's support for their civil action against those they believe were behind the 1998 atrocity.
The letter by Michael Gallagher followed a weekend newspaper report that gardaí had been advised not to give evidence to any civil action as it may jeopardise the Garda investigation.
Twenty-nine people including a woman pregnant with twins and Mr Gallagher's son, Aidan, died in the blast in the Co Tyrone town almost nine years ago.
Garda headquarters issued a statement yesterday claiming the force's position regarding the families' civil action was unchanged.
The one-sentence statement said: "The Garda Commissioner wishes to point out that the Garda Síochána position has not changed since he and other officers of An Garda Síochána met with relatives of the victims of the Omagh bombing and that no statement has been made to any media outlet."
Mr Gallagher said, after a report in the Sunday Times, that many relatives were unsure what the Garda position was and what the effect might be on their civil action, which has already cost more than £2 million (€3 million) to prepare. "We feel we would like more clarity on it," he said.
"Obviously we're delighted that the Garda Commissioner appears to say it's business as usual. When we met him that was always his attitude that the Garda Síochána would do everything possible to help the families.
"We would have liked him to come out and say that the Garda Síochána and his men will assist the families in whatever way they can in the civil action. So I've written to him this afternoon asking him for that clarity."
The families say they are not aware of any impending arrests or serious new leads that the Garda has and there is a concern that the needs of the ongoing investigation may be cited as a reason not to give evidence in the civil case.
"After nine years there must come a point where the Garda Síochána and the PSNI should say to the families and be honest with them that 'we have exhausted all avenues open to us at this time'. We don't know if someone could have a road to Damascus conversion and tell us what happened in Omagh," Mr Gallagher added.
The civil action is not expected to reach a courtroom before this time next year. The families are suing Michael McKevitt, currently challenging a 20-year sentence for directing terrorism, and four others, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy.
The families are also awaiting the verdict in the trial of Seán Hoey, Molly Road, Jonesborough, Co Armagh, who is accused of 56 charges including the 29 Omagh murders. He denies the charges.
Mr Justice Weir has reserved judgment in the case, which lasted 56 days at Belfast Crown Court, finishing last January.