Fianna Fail
leader Micheal Martin is willing to meet the family of Fr Niall Molloy
amid their calls for an independent inquiry into his murder.Mr Martin said he did not know enough about the case to say whether or not he supported the Molloys' demands.
"I would have to examine it in greater detail before I could call for a full independent inquiry because that's a very significant decision to take," he said.
When asked during a visit to Limerick yesterday whether he would discuss the Molloys' concerns, he said: "We're prepared to meet them."
The garda investigation into Fr Molloy's murder was described in the Seanad last week as the biggest cover-up in the history of the State.
Fr Molloy was killed in 1985 after he was beaten to death in the Offaly mansion of his friends, Therese and Richard Flynn, shortly after a wedding party in their Clara home.
It is believed the priest had gone to the house requesting a large sum of money that was owed to him. Nobody was ever convicted of the killing.
Richard Flynn stood trial for manslaughter and assault, but was found not guilty on the directions of the judge.
Fr Molloy's battered body was left bleeding in a room at the Flynns' house for up to six hours before help was called.
A garda cold-case review was launched after new information was unearthed in an Irish Independent investigation.
Fianna Fail TD Willie O'Dea said the matter was "a running sore".