Relatives of victims of the Omagh bombing have launched an unprecedented legal action against five men with alleged links to the organisation which carried out the atrocity.
Civil writs seeking compensation were issued at the High Court in Belfast in the first stage of the process.
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, County Louth; Mr Michael Colm Murphy, of Ravensdale, Dundalk; and Mr Seamus Daly, of Culloville, near Castleblaney, Co Monaghan were named in the writs.
Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among 29 killed in the car bombing three years ago, said tonight: "We had no choice but to take this action.
"Our families are not capable of fighting for themselves, but they deserve justice and it's our responsibility to make sure it's delivered."
A source close to the families' legal team said tonight they were breaking new ground in taking the case. "It's the first time in the world a writ has been served against a terrorist organisation and we will be using the lack of precedent as a challenge," he said.
"We will be pushing the law to the limit."
Lord Brennan, one of the most respected QCs in Europe, will be heading a team of barristers instructed by a London firm of solicitors.
The move came just days before the August 15th deadline for mounting a civil action against those alleged to be associated with the dissident republican group who bombed the Co Tyrone town on August 15 1998.
The Omagh fund set up to cover the legal costs received a boost today when £50,000 was given by an anonymous donor.
Relatives of the victims will be gathering in the Co Tyrone town tomorrow for the launch of their bid. Special events are also set to be held in Belfast, Dublin and Omagh.