Omagh pays tribute to the 31 killed in bombing ten years ago

The quiet county town drew to a standstill for the ceremony that unfolded at the same time that the Real IRA bomb had wrought its destruction.

Many of those who gathered in Omagh yesterday could remember vividly how at a few minutes after 3pm on Saturday August 15, 1998 a 500lb bomb in the boot of a Vauxhall Cavalier exploded.

Mourners pay their respects on the streets of Omagh

It opened a huge crater in the busy street and showered passers-by with shrapnel, killing 29 and two unborn twins.

More than 4,000 people, many directly affected by the massacre, gathered for the memorial service.

There was a minute's silence, before ten chimes of the bells from Omagh's Sacred Heart Church broke through the air.

Local children throw petals at the site of the 1998 bomb

A young girl lays flowers during the memorial service

The names of those who lost their lives were read out and a 'garden of light' containing light-reflecting mirrors representing the dead was unveiled, as well as a glass obelisk at the site.

However, the plans for the anniversary have been dogged by controversy.

The service was boycotted by the families of several victims, unhappy with how Omagh District Council has handled the the wording on a series of memorials.

They claim the Sinn Fein-dominated council was not prepared to acknowledge Republicans were responsible.

Families belonging to the Omagh Support and Self Help group have organised an alternative commemoration event, which will take place tomorrow.

The killers have not been caught, although a civil action has been brought by victims' families against the suspects - partly funded by Daily Mail readers.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness yesterday called for a new inquiry into the bombing.

Previously unseen images of the outside of the shop where the bomb exploded 10 years ago