Families who lost loved ones in the Creeslough explosion in County Donegal are calling for a public inquiry into the tragedy.
Ten people died in the disaster almost two years ago.
A lawyer representing the families of seven of the victims has now written to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee asking for an independent investigation to be established.
The request comes as Gardaí continue to investigate the circumstances of the explosion which occurred on Friday October 7th, 2022.
Four men, three women and three children - ranging in age from five to 59 - were killed.
Almost two years on, the cause of the explosion has still yet to be formally confirmed by the authorities.
It is understood, however, a gas leak is considered a central line of inquiry.
'Still no clarity'
In the letter the families claim the absence of any independent human rights compliant investigation is "the second greatest tragedy".
They say the "far from complete" Garda investigation is not due to update them until January 2025.
"There is still no clarity on whether a file will be sent to the DPP, whether charges will be proffered and whether there will be any trial before a court," they say.
"The Gardaí are, by their very nature, limited as to what scope their investigation can have.
"Their statutory function is to investigate criminality. They cannot be criticised for this limitation.
"It is not their function to establish facts, produce reports, or provide our clients with documents or
disclosure as to the underpinning tragedy.
"More fundamentally, they are unable to make recommendations to ensure an atrocity such as this never happens again."
'Wider issues'
The families say there are "wider issues" which will "inevitably fall outside the Garda investigation" - such as reports about the prior smell of gas in the area and "the incorrect characterisation that such a smell arose from the sewers".
The letter says there is "an indisputable need for an independent investigation which can provide our clients with the necessary protections to which they are entitled under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)".
The families say there are a number of reasons to hold a public inquiry.
"Firstly, an inquest will only be held after any Garda investigation and criminal trial," they say.
"By any estimation, that could be many years.
"Secondly, in circumstances in which there is a criminal trial, there may be no inquest at all.
"Thirdly, the Coronial system within County Donegal is currently unfit for a case of this magnitude."
They add that "most importantly" it is widely acknowledged that "complex and contentious deaths require a parallel investigation into an event while a criminal investigation is ongoing".
