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Sir Ronnie Flanagan
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The RUC had no advance warning of the bombing that killed 29 people at Omagh, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said today.
Claims that Special Branch officers ignored an informer's tip-off were "rubbish", he said.
"They are without foundation. They are also irresponsible and add to the anguish of the victims' families who have already suffered so much," said Sir Ronnie.
The Peoplenewspaper claimed three days before Omagh, the informer - a republican - told Special Branch that a huge device was to be moved across the border into Northern Ireland.
It is claimed the warning was ignored, allegedly to shield a high-level mole inside the Real IRA who reportedly helped prepare the explosives used in the bomb that shattered the Tyrone town.
Sir Ronnie said: "The RUC would not ever ignore intelligence about a bombing in order to protect any Special Branch interests".
Some of the relatives are planning to take civil action against the men suspected by police of involvement in the attack. One man accused of conspiring to cause an explosion is due to stand trial in Dublin later this year.
But nobody so far has been accused of any of the murders.
Sir Ronnie said: "The book is never closed on these incidents. There are a number of lines of inquiry we are continuing to pursue. Success is not beyond possibility".
PA