In one of his last public appearances as head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan yesterday once more rejected criticism of his force's investigation of the Omagh bombing.
He said he would not be removing the senior investigating officer, as this would undermine efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Sir Ronnie was taking part in a join ceremony in Dublin with the Garda Síochána to donate $232,000 raised by police on both sides of the Border for the families of New York police and fire brigade officers killed in the September 11th attack.
The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, supported him in his sentiments about the Omagh investigation.
The two heads of police jointly presented the money to the US-Ireland Alliance, a voluntary group which promotes relations between the Republic, Northern Ireland and the US.
Asked about the Government's decision to establish a tribunal of inquiry into the affairs of the gardaí in Co Donegal, Commissioner Byrne said he hoped it would "bring closure to this whole sorry episode".
Sir Ronnie said he was not going to remove the senior investigating officer in charge of the Omagh case. Although he understood the anguish of the families of the victims, such a move would "significantly reduce the chances of success" in bringing the perpetrators to justice.