BY MARK MCKELVEY

Responding to words of support from senior politicians for a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing, Michael Gallagher said it is action that is needed and not "token gestures".

In an emotional opening address at yesterday's tenth anniversary remembrance service, Mr Gallagher took the opportunity to make it clear what he and other families associated with the Omagh Support and Self Help Group need to gain closure.

"It is not wreaths we need, it is justice and truth," he said.

"Over the past ten years we have taken control of our own lives. We did not allow the terrorists to dictate to us. We will continue to do what is right and a proper tribute to the dead of Omagh ten years on must be that a full cross-border public inquiry and not allow the systems to continue to fail."

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister, said he backed calls for an independent tribunal to look at the crime and the police investigation into the bombing in Omagh.

Mr McGuinness said, "There was enough that happened around the Omagh bombing to make it incumbent on the government to recognise that there is desire for truth and a desire to get to the bottom of what happened on that day. This was a very clear attempt by those hostile to the peace process. I have grave concerns about the way that the police handled this (investigation) from beginning to end and that is why I support the calls by some of the families for an independent tribunal. They obviously have lost all faith in the police investigation and we've seen debacle after debacle in terms of the investigation."

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen failed to commit to the public inquiry the relatives are demanding after attending Friday's memorial service in Omagh.

Mr Cowen said he believed the civil case which the families are currently taking against the five men suspected of being responsible for the blast was the best way to uncover the truth and he did not see the need for a separate inquiry.

The Taoiseach said those who bombed Omagh were rejected by the people of Ireland and had no place in Ireland.

Although not committing his support to a public inquiry when asked during his visit to Omagh on Friday, DUP Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, did say he would love to see justice for the people of Omagh.

"We want to see those who perpetrated this evil deed brought before the courts and brought to justice," said Mr Donaldson. "Of course we will examine how we can help the families achieve the justice that they so richly deserve. But I think today is a day to look back and reflect and then we can look to the future to make sure the peace we hope to build in Northern Ireland is not destroyed by those who sought to destroy it ten years ago in Omagh."

Speaking after the service at the new Garden of Light on Sunday, Michael welcomed this show of support and called for other politicians to also advocate a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing.

"Obviously I welcome those comments, but what we need is more than words. That is the only way we will be able to move this on," said Michael.

"We saw some of the senior politicians in Omagh on Friday voicing that support but we must get it on the agenda between the two governments. Other politicians need to come in and also voice their support for a cross-border public inquiry so that we can get closure."