The family of the most senior RUC officer to die in the Troubles has welcomed the imminent start of the Smithwick Tribunal.
The tribunal will investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The killings of Chief Supt Harry Breen along with his colleague, Supt Bob Buchanan, is being probed by the tribunal to see if there was collusion between a garda or any other State employee with the IRA in their murder.
The men were shot dead in an ambush shortly after leaving a meeting in Dundalk Garda Station in March 1989.
Yesterday, the tribunal held its first public session in four years.
The formal hearing of evidence is due to begin next month.
In a statement today issued through their solicitor, the Breen family acknowledged the 'significant efforts' being made by the tribunal to investigate the murders and said the commencement of public hearings is 'a significant and positive development'.
However, the family go on to say that it remains to be seen if the Irish and UK authorities will release all necessary information, including sensitive records and transcripts to the tribunal.
'And indeed whether the garda, RUC, Army and other security personnel come forward with the evidence which they have apparently released from time-to-time in an anonymous fashion,' the statement adds.
