IN THE Belfast High Court today relatives of some of the 29 people - including a woman pregnant with twin girls - murdered by the Real IRA in the Omagh bombing nearly 10 years ago begin their civil action against five men they believe were connected to the attack.
In the build-up to today's proceedings there have been more than 35 High Court hearings in Belfast, three Court of Appeal hearings and two applications to the House of Lords.
In addition there have been hearings before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, seven High Court appearances in the Republic and a hearing in the Supreme Court.
Writs were served on Séamus McKenna, Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Séamus Daly and Colm Murphy in August 2001, but progress in the case was hampered by the ongoing police investigation and criminal proceedings.
All those served with writs are defending the action.
Following the clearing of all 58 charges against suspect Seán Hoey last December, the PSNI said in January they could facilitate discovery of documentation requested by the families' civil action.
According to the relatives' solicitors, such material, along with other evidence gathered over the years - much of which has never before been made public from sources such as the US Department of State, the FBI, British Intelligence and the Crown Prosecution Service - will now be introduced at the hearing.
The judge hearing the case, Mr Justice Morgan, has also recently decided to take the historic step of relocating part of the trial to Dublin to allow Garda officers to give evidence.
In a statement issued to The Irish Timesby the families involved in the action they said: "Years ago, we all decided to make this journey out of respect for our loved ones. We promised them and ourselves that we would do all we could to have our day in court and ensure they were not forgotten.
"It is difficult to express what this means to us.
"It feels like a moral victory getting to this stage. We all wish to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who has made this possible."
Michael Gallagher, whose son died in the explosion, claimed the opening of the case meant that history was being made. "It is a very important day for me and my family, who have fought for justice for Aiden, our beloved son and brother," said Mr Gallagher.
"We did not let terrorism win. We took charge."
Mark Breslin, whose wife was killed in the bombing, said: "Losing my wife Geraldine was terrible, but I'm proud that I was one of those who showed terrorists around the world that ordinary people can go after them.
"In spite of all their efforts, they haven't been able to shake us off nor will they."
Jason McCue, one of the families' solicitors from the London legal firm H20, said: "Our task was relatively simple - to provide a civil law vehicle to facilitate the families' campaign for justice.
"To the families' credit, they have had the difficulty of carrying the heavy emotional burden of the case . . . they deserve the credit for managing to achieve what they set out to do - get their day in court.
"It's now time for justice to play its role and for the court to make its judgment".
Mr Justice Morgan will first hear a series of applications in the Belfast High Court before the civil action is due to begin.
He will hear these at 9.30am with the action scheduled to begin at 10.30am subject to the outcome of the applications put before the judge.