Court Sketch/Gerry Moriarty: Seven Omagh families appeared in front of the cameras outside Belfast High Court yesterday, satisfied that they had passed another important milestone in their struggle for justice.
Representatives of the Gallaghers, the McCombes, the Wilsons, the Radfords, the Breslins, the McFarlanes and the Gibsons - all of whom lost loved ones in the "Real IRA" bombing - stood shoulder to shoulder, resolute and grimly determined.
A few minutes earlier, Mr Justice Higgins set January 17th next year as the provisional date for the start of the Omagh families' civil case against five men they believe were behind the August 1998 bombing, which killed 29 people and unborn twin girls and maimed and injured hundreds of people.
Up here one question is asked from time to time: would the Omagh families not be wiser - for their own emotional wellbeing, for the sake of their families, for some sort of release - to leave this action aside and try to get on with their lives as best they can?
But studying the demeanour of the families outside the High Court yesterday, it was obvious that they were prepared for the long haul. It is just a few months until the sixth anniversary of the Omagh bombing, but it was clear yesterday that the families will persist with their action even if it takes another six years.
"After a three-year battle, we are now at court and on the way to a trial. We promised our loved ones and supporters that we would not falter in pursuing this matter to the end. Now the end is clearly in our sights," said Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was killed in the bombing.
The Omagh Victims' Legal Action Group wants £10 million in damages from the "Real IRA" and the five men they are suing - Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy (all serving sentences in the Republic on "Real IRA" charges) and Seamus McKenna.
But the case was not about money, Mr Gallagher insisted. The setting of the provisional date for the hearing was "historic", he said, and a "giant step down the road to justice".
The families, with the support of people such as Bob Geldof, Formula 1 racing driver Eddie Irvine and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson, have raised well over £1 million towards the estimated £1½-£2 million cost of the case. The British government has pledged £800,000 to the case, and more if required, guaranteeing that the action will not collapse for lack of funds.
Mr Gallagher paid tribute to the group's main supporters yesterday. He also thanked President George W. Bush and former president Bill Clinton, the Daily Mail and all those who had rallied behind their case.
He praised FBI agent David Rupert, who infiltrated the "Real IRA" and who has agreed to give evidence for the families. The court heard yesterday of a pending application for that evidence to be given by video-link from the US because of concerns over Mr Rupert's safety.
Mr Gallagher urged anyone with information about the bombing to come forward and assist the families.