Two men named in writs as being involved in the Omagh bombing are to contest the civil case taken by relatives against them.
Lawyers representing Mr Mickey McKevitt and Liam Campbell yesterday lodged papers with the High Court in Belfast declaring their intention to defend themselves against the allegations. The hearing is expected to be take place early next year.
A civil action, costing £1.5 million, is being taken against five men by some of the Omagh families.
They are seeking damages against those they claim were involved in the Real IRA bombing which killed 29 people in August 1998.
Mr McKevitt (51) from Blackrock, Co Louth, is currently in Portlaoise prison awaiting trial for directing terrorism. He is denying the charges.
Campbell (38) is also in Portlaoise serving five years for membership of an illegal organisation.
Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the bomb, welcomed the development. "This is what we want. It would have been very flat with just our side, but this will make for a very interesting case. Both sides have a right to tell their story and we are putting our faith in the justice system."
Republicans in Dundalk also welcomed the move. "This will give people who have been maligned in the media and accused of all sorts of things the opportunity to defend themselves. It shows individuals are prepared to face their accusers and aren't running away from anything," said a source.
Writs were served on Mr McKevitt, Campbell, Mr Seamus McKenna, Mr Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy last month. Murphy, a builder and publican, is the only person to be jailed in connection with the Omagh bomb.
He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in January for conspiring to cause the explosion. At different points in recent years, each of the five men has strenuously denied any involvement in the explosion.