THE conviction of Michael McKevitt was greeted with delight yesterday by relatives of some of those killed in the Omagh bombing.
But there was also dismay that the offences of which he was found guilty dated from after the atrocity in which 29 died.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aiden, was killed in the bombing, insisted he was pleased the republican terrorist had finally been put behind bars. ''He cannot orchestrate another atrocity such as Omagh,'' he said.
However, Mr Gallagher was critical of the failure of the inquiry to deliver the others directly involved in the bombing. ''I am very bitter, very disappointed. There is no doubt that this man, who was the senior member of the Real IRA, had responsibility,'' he said.
Mr Gallagher conceded that the terrorists who carried out the atrocity would probably never be captured.
Even though police on both sides of the border have identified members of McKevitt's dissident organisation as being responsible for the August 1998 bombing, nobody has yet been charged with any of the killings.
Relatives are involved in a (pounds) 10m civil action against the suspects, but they need another (pounds) 800,000 to meet the estimated (pounds) 1.5m legal costs.
The High Court attempt to sue the alleged killers may start later this year, but Mr Gallagher believes those responsible may never be brought before a judge in a criminal court.
In an effort to restore confidence in the investigation, police insisted yesterday that they were actively following several lines of inquiry, but Mr Gallagher claimed they faced an impossible task because the British and Irish governments have refused full backing.
''It's common knowledge that intelligence and security services have infiltrated all the main paramilitary organisations, including the dissidents. The families believe they are not bringing that influence to bear on the investigation. There has never been the political will in London or Dublin to resolve this crime.''
Laurence Rush, who lost his wife, Elizabeth, in the explosion, said yesterday he hoped McKevitt would experience some of the anguish suffered by the Omagh families.
''I am very, very, very happy. I applaud the judges. I hope that we will continue this. It has been a really, really long five years and it still hasn't ended.''
Victor Barker, the lawyer whose 12-year-old son, James, died in the bombing, had a message for McKevitt: ''You've got your son, I haven't got mine. These people should think about the sheer human misery they have caused.''
Other relatives were optimistic that justice would finally be done.
Stanley McCombe, whose wife, a mother-of-two, was among the dead, said yesterday's guilty verdict was a great step forward. He said the families owed it to those who died to put their case against those thought to be responsible.
''McKevitt is a terrorist, a man who has the blood of innocent people on his hands,'' he said.
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