The bombing provoked new laws in the Republic

Michael McKevitt's conviction in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin related to a period after the bombing in August 1998 which claimed 29 lives.

But relatives waiting for the killers to be brought to justice, and who are pursuing their own civil legal action, are still happy about the conviction.

It comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the atrocity next Friday.

Stanley McCombe, whose wife was killed, said: "The net is closing on the bombers."

Civil action

Many of the relatives have joined together for �10m legal action against those suspected of the attack. They are still battling to fund the action, needing another �800,000 towards a �1.5m legal bill.

McKevitt and four others have already had writs served against them and could appear at the High Court in Belfast.

Michael Gallagher is pessimistic about getting justice

Mr McCombe added: "We owe it to those who died to have our say in court and put our case against those who we think were responsible.

"The net is closing in on the Omagh bombers. Having come this far, we cannot let them get away."

Laurence Rush, who lost his wife Elizabeth, said: "I'm very happy and happy for my children and happy for the other victims and happy for everyone that was injured and traumatised."

But some of the families are pessimistic that criminal action will ever be taken against the suspects.

Political will

Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son Aiden, said: "It's looking highly unlikely they will ever be caught and brought to justice."

He said there was a lack of political will in the Republic and the UK and that the security services could do more.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland is carrying out this investigation with one hand tied behind its back.

"It's common knowledge that intelligence and security services have infiltrated all the main paramilitary organisations, including the dissidents.

"The families believe they are not bringing that influence to bear on the investigation."

'Huge breakthrough'

The former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson described the verdict as "very encouraging".

He said the British and Irish governments must do more to help the Omagh families pursue their civil action.

"The Real IRA still exists. We should not let our security go down," he said.

"But let's be under no illusions. This is a huge breakthrough in the fight against terrorism. It will strengthen the peace process in Northern Ireland."