Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today welcomed European Parliament support for the family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney.
Mr Ahern said the support reflected "the extent of international attention and concern about this case".
Earlier the five biggest political groups in the European Parliament overwhelmingly accepted a resolution expressing support for the family of Robert McCartney and condemning IRA violence and criminality.
The European Commission may now offer financial aid to the McCartney family to pursue a civil action if the Police Service of Northern Ireland fails to bring charges in connection with Mr McCartney's killing.
Mr Ahern said: "Robert Mc Cartney's sisters have done a tremendous job in highlighting his case and demanding justice for their brother".
"The possibility that the EU will help with a contribution to the cost of legal fees to pursue a civil case should ensure that this avenue is open to the McCartney family in the future, if necessary," he added.
Father-of-two Mr McCartney (33) was allegedly stabbed and beaten to death after a row with IRA members in a Belfast bar on January 30th.
Today's resolution said Mr McCartney "was brutally murdered by members of the self-styled 'Irish Republican Army' who attempted to cover-up the crime and ordered all witnesses to be silent about the involvement of IRA members".
It expressed support for the McCartney family's fight for justice, praising the sisters and Mr McCartney's partner for refusing to accept the "code of silence" and for "bravely and persistently" challenging the IRA by demanding justice.
The motion was passed by 555 votes to four, with 48 abstentions.
The two Sinn Féin MEPs, Bairbre de Brún and Mary Lou McDonald, refused to back the resolution, endorsing instead a separate motion less critical of the party and the IRA but fully backing the McCartney family's determination to see those responsible for Mr McCartney's death face trial.
Today Ms de Brún said Sinn Féin supported the McCartney family's demand for those responsible for the murder to face trial "We will continue to do all that we can to help them," she said.
She went on: "Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on those responsible to come forward and admit their responsibility for this horrendous murder. They have refused. He also called on everyone who was in the vicinity to provide full and frank statements."
Ms de Brún said 12 Sinn Féin members had already been suspended without prejudice to establish if they had given full and frank statements. Two of them had been expelled for refusal to do so, and four others had resigned. The remaining six were awaiting a report to the Sinn Féin National Executive.
She criticised the PSNI investigation: "It is our belief that the Police Service of Northern Ireland could and should have acted by now. They have not carried out a thorough investigation."
Three McCartney sisters - Gemma, Paula and Catherine - were in the Strasbourg chamber to see the main resolution voted through.
Catherine said last night she hoped that would not be necessary - and EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas indicated it might not be possible to use EU funds for victims of terrorism in such a way.
He said: "The commission cannot intervene in investigative procedures of member states. The only thing we can do is express admiration for the very brave stance of the McCartney sisters in seeking justice, not revenge."
He added: "The commission is certain that after completion of investigations in Northern Ireland, truth will come to the fore."