Standing to a visitor, little evidence remains of the atrocity which destroyed the lives of so many people on that horrific day.

However, underneath the facade of this burgeoning country town lies a generation of pain.

Of the dozens of shoppers, school pupils and workers on their lunch breaks who flittered between the high street stores and cafes which line the bustling street, only a handful were willing to voice their opinion on yesterday’s historic ruling.

Most were happy to say they were pleased with Justice Morgan’s decision. But some did not believe the ruling in the landmark case will be able to heal the wounds of everyone affected by the atrocity.

“The victims’ relatives may find the ruling helpful but it won’t be of help to everyone,” one man, William, explained as he went about his shopping.

The 58-year-old, who did not want his last name used, said he wanted to see closure and hoped the verdict would bring it for the families but failed to see how the civil case could amend for the all the hurt the bombing had caused.

Ryan McCallion (32) from Drumquin, however, believed the decision in Belfast’s High Court yesterday would help the wider community to move on.

“I think the verdict will help to heal wounds,” he said. “And I hope it does bring closure for them (the families).”

Michael McGinn from Omagh was also very positive about the ruling.

The 64-year-old believes Justice Morgan’s decision justified the families long fight for justice.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant,” he explained. “I think the verdict might actually help them (the families) to heal and everyone else to come to terms with what happened. The criminal court case, that was a big setback for them.

“But to be able to put names to the criminals I think is a brilliant thing. Up ‘til then nobody knew who was who and did what. Even though it was not a criminal case, it was still a court of law, they had a fair hearing and the evidence was overwhelming.”

Eileen Jackson, who has lived in Omagh all her life, also said she was pleased with the verdict.

The local grandmother, who was staying in Co Clare at the time of the bombing, remembered the devastating effect the atrocity had on the community.

“It was a terrible time,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.

“Something like that should never have happened but as for the hurt it caused, it may never go away. I am happy with the verdict and I do hope the families can have closure but it may not.”