A landmark civil case launched by the relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing was boosted tonight after one of the men they claim was responsible for the atrocity was convicted of membership of the 'Real IRA'.
Seamus Daly (31) of Culloville in County Monaghan, pleaded guilty to membership of an illegal organisation at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
He was released on continuing bail of €120,000 (£84,000 sterling) to appear in court again next Tuesday, when he is due to be sentenced.
Daly is one of five men who are being sued for £10 million by the relatives of the Omagh bombing, who claim they are responsible for the atrocity.
Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the Real IRA attack on the Co Tyrone town in August 1998, said the verdict was positive and called for a long sentence.
"We will certainly be watching the court on Tuesday to see what happens," he said.
"This is a man who, by his own admission, was a member of one of the most lethal terrorist organisations of recent times. It can only be good news that he is off the streets."
A total of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed during the Omagh bomb attack, which was the worst single loss of life in the history of violence in Northern Ireland.