West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has indicated that he has doubts over Henry Toner QC's conclusion that the agencies had no indication that a tragic event was about to occur.

Speaking this week, Mr Doherty said, "While I have not yet had time to study the report in full it is clear, at this early stage, that a major question mark hangs over the main conclusion of the Independent Review Panel that agencies involved with the family had no indication that a tragic event was about to occur given that the authorities had to act to remove a female teenage child who was not related to the family from the home prior to the tragedy."

He continued, "It is clear that the early warning signs were there but were not followed up upon, not only on this, but other worrying aspects of this case. I believe that there is an acknowledgement of this fact in other findings of the Independent Review Report which criticise: communication of information between all agencies in respect of the criminal offences committed by Arthur McElhill; dissemination of that information within disciplines of the Trust and other agencies and assessment of potential risks posed by Arthur McElhill to teenage girls by reason of the nature of those criminal offences; and good practice and management within the disciplines of the trust and other agencies."

The MP went on to say that, while 63 recommendations aimed at all agencies involved in supporting and protecting children and their families have been made in this Independent Review Report and while the minister has promised their speedy implementation, he still believes that it is essential that other relevant agencies like the PSNI who had been involved with the tragic family but who do not come under the juristiction of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety carry out similar independent reviews.

"All relevant agencies to the case must carry out their own reviews as a prelude to a proper inter-agency inquiry being established" he said.

However, Omagh Cllr Bert Wilson said, "The report published on Tuesday highlights the fact that although there were failings within the system, the agencies involved with the family could have, in no way, known about the tragic events which were to unfold back in November of last year.

"At that time, the shockwaves that ran through the whole of Northern Ireland were huge. People from communities throughout the Province watched in disbelief as the whole story emerged through the media – the loss of life was tragic and inconceivable. A huge sense of loss was felt by people throughout Omagh and the wider community.

"Once again I would like to extend my sympathies to the McGovern and McElhill families and indeed the entire community. I realise that while the report addressed some failings within the system, the family can perhaps take comfort in the fact that my colleague Health Minister Michael McGimpsey is determined to swiftly address all the recommendations which have been highlighted in the report."