The organisers of a function to raise funds for "Real IRA" prisoners have said they are going ahead with the event despite the threat of a picket from relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing.
The function, organised by the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association, will be held in west Belfast next Friday. It will be addressed by the New York lawyer and former Noraid publicity director, Mr Martin Galvin. There are 33 "Real IRA" prisoners in Portlaoise, Maghaberry and English jails.
Next Tuesday is the second anniversary of the bomb in which 29 people died. Relatives of the victims said they were horrified to learn of the function. Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian was killed, said: "People have no idea of the pain this meeting is causing.
"There were tears in my household when we heard about it. The British and Irish governments aren't doing enough to make life difficult for these people. Some of the victims' families are drawing up plans for a picket. I appeal to the people of west Belfast who supported us following the bombing to give these people no welcome."
Mr Rory Dougan, of the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association, said the function, which has been locally advertised, was definitely going ahead.
"There is no reason why it should be cancelled. We are an open and above-board organisation which exists to help all republican prisoners. We are not affiliated with any one group. But the fact that we are holding a function in west Belfast is obviously worrying and annoying certain people," he said.
Around 150 people attended a similar function for "Real IRA" prisoners in west Belfast in June. Functions have also been held in Derry, Dublin and Dundalk.