Frank McBrearty jnr has called on the Government to deal expediently with more than 80 civil actions being brought against the State by members of his extended family and others.
Mr McBrearty (36) yesterday expressed his relief at having reached a settlement and said he was no longer angry for what had happened since the death of Richie Barron in October 1996.
"We are happy with the level of compensation awarded to us for the damage inflicted on us by agents of the State. It will never compensate us for the hurt, pain and humiliation we have suffered in the last nine years.
"What my family have endured should never be allowed to happen to anyone ever again,"
Mr McBrearty was speaking at a hastily organised press conference at the family business in Raphoe yesterday. He confirmed he had received a written apology from the State with liability having been conceded last June.
Mr McBrearty's settlement is for four civil actions, two in his own name, one in the name of his wife, Patricia, and one joint claim.
They relate to wrongful arrest, libel and a breach of constitutional rights.
Civil actions by the couple's two eldest children, Frankie (16) and Chantele (15) along with that of his father, Frank McBrearty snr, will proceed. It is estimated that when loss of earnings is taken into account in his case, with 128 inspections of the family pub and night-club having taken place in seven months in 1997, that the compensation could amount to more than €6 million.
While Mr McBrearty said he would never get over the ordeal he was learning to live with it.
"I'm not a bitter person, but I'll never forgive the gardaí involved for the way they treated my two eldest children and my wife - who was only out of hospital after a serious operation - after my arrest," he said.
He also criticised local politicians who, he said, had predominantly ignored the plight of the family, as well as the present Coalition for its handling of what has become known as "the McBrearty affair." He would not participate in the Morris tribunal unless the terms of reference were changed and the cost issue was addressed.
"They can do what they like with the Morris tribunal, I don't need it any more. I've achieved what I set out to achieve and that was to clear my name."
His wife, Patricia, also spoke to the media for the first time. "It's been really tough. I just want to forget about it all.
"I missed my two youngest children growing up because of this thing. When Frank was arrested, I was just waiting for them to come back and arrest him again, there was no normal life.
Mr McBrearty said: "I feel very angry, they took part of our life away. We were nearly bankrupt at one stage and I had to fight hard to get the level of compensation.
"I've achieved more than any man ever achieved in this country. We've exposed so much in the last 2½ years. Our family now have a strong voice, we are highlighting injustices and have begun a campaign and are being contacted by people who have been wronged by the State."
"The relationships between political parties and Gardaí must stop," he concluded.
Mr McBrearty confirmed he would be writing a book.