Reid praises Omagh families
Northern Secretary John Reid has praised the courage and determination of those affected by the Omagh bombing during his first visit to the Co Tyrone town.
He also indicated that he "supported or understood why" some of the relatives of the 29 killed in the Real IRA bombing are planning to take civil court action against those they believe were responsible.
Dr Reid met several of those who lost loved ones in the bombing, some of the injured and the voluntary services who tended the injured and bereaved in the immediate aftermath of the bombing and since.
The Secretary of State said: "I have been deeply impressed by the courage and determination shown by those whose lives were changed forever on August 15 1998 - the relatives of those who died, the injured and all who were affected."
Both Dr Reid and his partner, Carine Alder, laid floral tributes in the bomb victims' Garden of Remembrance in Omagh. It was the first official visit to the garden since it was repaired after a vandal attack four weeks ago.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aiden in the bombing, said they had an informal meeting and briefly touched on their demands for the bombers to be brought to justice and compensation for those who suffered.
