Families who allege they have been subjected to Garda harassment in Co Donegal are concerned that no hint of an apology has come from the Garda authorities, according to their solicitor.
Mr Ken Smyth, solicitor for the family of Raphoe publican Mr Frank McBrearty, along with his extended family and staff, said eight Donegal families he represented had yet to receive an apology.
He said they had viewed recent media coverage "in vain for any hint of an apology, either express or implied, or even an acknowledgement by the Garda authorities of the real pain, injury, hurt and desolation needlessly caused to them by servants of the State".
In June, 160 summonses against the McBrearty family were dropped by the DPP in Donegal District Court.
The family has continuously claimed harassment by the gardai and that an attempt was made to link Mr Frank McBrearty jnr and his cousin Mr Mark McConnell to the 1996 death of Mr Richie Barrons.
Last week the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, transferred five gardai out of the Donegal division.
According to Mr Smyth it was as a result of his client's persistence that the 16-month internal inquiry, headed by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty, was established.
Ms Rosalind McBrearty, the publican's wife, wrote to Mr Byrne in November 1998 asking him to help her family.
"Would you consider meeting us so you could see for yourself what kind of people we are.
"I am asking you as any mother or father would. "My son is an innocent man and his cousin as well and my husband was innocent of what he was accused of," she wrote.
"I am pleading with you to help us to get justice. We are good law-abiding citizens.
"Frank has always helped the Garda in every way that he can, even now he would still help them," the letter added.
A copy of Mr Carty's investigation report was sent to the DPP last Friday.
However, it could be a number of months before any decision is taken.