The families of the Omagh bombing victims today formally launched and unprecedented legal action against five men with alleged links to the organisation which carried out the atrocity.
The families' lawyer urged the public to provide more help, saying that further legal action might be launched against the dissident republican group in the future.
Speaking ahead of the launch the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid said the investigation into the bombing was not closed and still sought to achieve convictions.
Dr Reid said, for legal reasons, he could not express support for the families' action.
However, he said he felt a "great deal of understanding" for their position. He insisted the police investigation into the bombing was still continuing in the hope of bringing criminal charges.
"This case is not closed," he told BBC Radio. "The authorities continue to do everything possible. They are following new leads on this. It is difficult. We do not operate to the standards of terrorists. In a democracy it is not easy to get evidence as opposed to information or suspicion."
He said the police had "great suspicion" as to whom at least one or two of the actual bombers were, and a "reasonable idea" of the other people involved.
Yesterday civil writs seeking compensation were issued at the Northern Ireland High Court in Belfast against the Real IRA and five men. They are: Mr Seamus McKenna, of Silverbridge, Newry, Co Down; Mr John Michael Henry McKevitt, of Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth; Mr Liam Campbell, of Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, Co Louth; Mr Michael Colm Murphy, of Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth and Mr Seamus Daly, of Culloville, near Castleblaney, Co Monaghan.
The families are attempting to raise £1 million to cover the costs of the legal challenge.
. PA