Statement from Jason McCue, solicitor for H20 Henry Hepworth on behalf of the Omagh Victims Legal Trust:
"This statement, on behalf of the Plaintiffs, will be brief. We intend to do our talking in the civil court.
"Yesterday families of the victims of the Omagh bomb issued a writ against the Real IRA.
"They have thereby made history: this is the first time in the world that such an organisation will be sued in the civil courts. This claim is unprecedented.
"This ground-breaking action seeks justice.
"The families have undertaken this brave course of action out of respect for their loves ones - nothing more, nothing less.
"I am proud and privileged to represent them.
"The families represent the good people of Northern Ireland. They have different religions, nationalities and politics.
"They carry the burden of the indiscriminate destruction caused by a bomb, placed in a peaceful market town on a day like this.
"They say we should not let this happen again.
"They praise the police for their diligent investigation. Yet they say we shall not just sit back and do nothing.
"The public should salute the stand that these courageous families are taking for us all. The public should support and back these families in any way they can.
"The families represent a community - a community that has had enough of terrorism.
"The action is about members of the community joining together and taking a stand against terrorism through a legal and just means. The families welcome your support.
"A team of experienced lawyers and counsel has considered this action very carefully. The families have a strong legal case.
"The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the bomb. This action is about making it accountable.
"Further admissible evidence, in particular from the general public, may well expand this action. This is only the beginning.
"This action represents a promise made by these families to those who suffered and died at Omagh: a promise to pursue justice so that a court of law can decide who was responsible."