An apology is due to the McBreartys, the Barrons and many other people who were damaged and injured by what happened in Co Donegal, according to the Minister for Justice.
Michael McDowell said yesterday the McBrearty family would be getting an apology from the State. The first thing they had to do was to allow the Morris tribunal to run its course so that the full number of things in respect of which an apology was due would be known by the public.
"I think it's very, very clear from the attitude that I've adopted that I fully acknowledge that what was done to them was evil and wrong and that they are due an apology," he said.
Asked if the Barrons would be getting an apology also, he replied: "The Barrons, the Gallaghers, the Peoples, the McConnells and many other people who were damaged and injured by the procedure."
He could only tender an apology; it was up to other people to accept it in the fullness of time.
The Minister appealed to the McBreartys to co-operate fully with the tribunal now that they had been given full costs and to give up their attitude of non-co-operation with the tribunal.
Meanwhile, the solicitor for the family of Richie Barron has called for an immediate apology from the Minister and Garda Commissioner for what he described as their appalling treatment.
Paudge Dorrian said that in the nine years since Mr Barron's death, which was held to be a hit-and-run by the Morris tribunal, the family had been sidelined and their dignity eroded.
"I expect an apology from both the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner for the appalling way the family have been treated," Mr Dorrian said.
The family including Mr Barron's widow, Nora, their children and other members, have served legal papers. They are claiming negligence and dereliction of duty by the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and the State, in failing to ensure a proper investigation into Mr Barron's death in 1996 in Raphoe, Co Donegal.
They will seek compensation for trauma and suffering caused to them by grief and anxiety since he died.
"It is not about the money," Mr Dorrian added. "It is about the appalling treatment meted out to that family. Nobody paid the slightest attention or interest. They have been sidelined and their dignity has been eroded. They are entitled to the same consideration as any other family concerned in this horrible mess."
He said there was a conflict as to the cause of death. The inquest recorded an open verdict while the Morris tribunal had held it was a hit-and-run.