Relatives of 12 men shot dead by the British security forces have called on the Government to press for an independent international inquiry into their deaths.
Mr Mark Thompson, a spokesman for the human rights group Relatives for Justice, which has been supporting the families throughout the European court case, said the group was seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach to appeal to him to use his influence both with the British government and the United Nations to set up an investigation into the four incidents which left 10 IRA members, one Sinn Fein member and a bystander dead.
"We are calling on the Irish Government to push for a full inquiry. We also feel that it is now time for the UN to come in. This case, which is the most important one ever to have come from the North, is a severe indictment of a [British] government that claims to be democratic and lectures others on human rights," Mr Thompson added.
Ms Roisin Kelly, whose brother Patrick was one of the eight IRA men killed in the Loughgall ambush, accused the Government of "giving the families less than convincing support," saying the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, had refused to meet them before the European Court verdict was known.
Mr Thompson said one of the most important aspects of yesterday's ruling was that it had "shattered the myth" of the British state as a peace-keeper rather than a protagonist in the conflict.
Mr Jonathan McKerr, who was eight when his father, Gervaise, was killed, said the families had always been convinced of their case.
"We always knew our loved ones were victims of a shoot-to-kill policy which the British government, adding insult to injury, has been denying existed up to this day. We are pleased that the European Court, unlike any other, has not let us down and we would encourage the families of other victims of the security forces to take their cases as far as they can."
Ms Mary Shanaghan, mother of Patrick, said her feelings of joy at the verdict were tinged with sadness.
"Despite the fact that this is a significant victory for our family, it is also a sad time for us. Patrick's murder cannot be undone. But it makes it a little easier for us in that his death has not been in vain. This judgment should mean that families in the same situation should in future be able to get justice in the courts here rather than having to go to Strasbourg.
"We believe that the British government must move immediately to change the inquest system in the North. "