Omagh bomb: Ireland ‘should have had parallel inquiry’

Mr Flanagan, formerly Ireland’s minister for justice and minster for foreign affairs, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ, external that a parallel inquiry would have been “imminently desirable”.

He added: “I accept fully what (Taoiseach) Micháel Martin and (Tánaiste) Simon Harris have consistently said about the Irish government co-operating fully with the inquiry.

“But I think an opportunity has been lost by not having a parallel process.”

Mr Flanagan said an Irish inquiry could have worked “a tandem” with the one in the UK.

“My fear now is that there will be gaps.

“While the Irish government says it will not be found wanting, my concern is we will not be able to square that circle on compellability and that vital evidence may not be forthcoming,” Mr Flanagan said.