Families of many of the 29 people killed in the Omagh car bombing gathered this afternoon to mark the time 25 years ago when the dissident republican attack devastated the Co Tyrone town.
Some bereaved family members laid single white roses and then said prayers at the glass obelisk that marks the spot where the Real IRA attack occurred.
A crowd of more than 100 people lined the streets as the short ceremony took place.
The bombing on 15 August 1998 was the largest single atrocity of the Troubles.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman seven months' pregnant with twins, were killed and hundreds more were injured.
The victims included three young boys from Buncrana, Co Donegal, and a Spanish child on a school exchange trip.
No one has ever been convicted in connection with the attack, which happened just months after the Good Friday Agreement was signed.
Relatives of the victims of the Omagh bombing have "shown such courage and fortitude over the past 25 years" as they continue their "quest for truth", President Michael D Higgins has said.
In a statement, President Higgins expressed his support for all of the families and their "quest for truth".
He added: "In remembering the 31 victims, including children, on that tragic day, along with those who suffered injuries, we realise how important the quest for the truth as to what happened is to all those relatives who were affected.
"In offering our support for the relatives' quest for the truth as to what happened on that day, I am acutely aware of how long they have waited.
"It is so important for all involved that these truths be established fully and fairly, if we are to enable truly ethical remembrance as might assist reconciliation.
"May I pay special tribute to all those who, despite the pain of those losses and injuries, by their extraordinary patience, courage and coming together have shaped a path towards peace and reconciliation. They have shown such courage and fortitude over the past 25 years."
'New phase'
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among those killed, has campaigned for many years for the British government to conduct a public inquiry.
He believes the campaign has entered a new phase with the British government announcement in February that it would open an inquiry into the bombing.
"It certainly has entered a new phase, because with the British government announcing the public inquiry and they're now moving at pace.
"They appointed a chairperson and there'll be a wide team of people supporting him," he said.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Gallagher said the families of victims had a meeting with Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee recently and outlined their concerns about how the Irish Government will manage this process.
"Will it be an inquiry here in Omagh that they'll feed into? Will it be two separate inquiries? And how will the intelligence, because that'll be a big part of this inquiry, how will that be managed," Mr Gallagher said.
Mr Martin said Ireland will cooperate fully with a UK inquiry into the Omagh bombing, which he described as "one of the most brutal atrocities ever witnessed on this island".
He said: "We will never forget the 29 people who lost their lives, those who were injured, and the families whose suffering continues today.
"My thoughts are first and foremost with all those impacted by this attack, carried out with disregard for democracy, and for people.
"I have been honoured to meet with, and listen to, the families of the Omagh bomb victims over many years, most recently in June. Their search for the full truth of what happened has not been an easy or swift process.
"The Omagh bomb atrocity showed the appalling impact of violence on communities. The campaign of violence in Northern Ireland was never justified. We must keep working relentlessly on peace, dialogue and rebuilding trust."
Independent inquiry
Earlier this year, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announced that an independent statutory inquiry will be carried out into the atrocity.
Draft terms of reference have been shared with the Irish Government, but Mr Martin said it is his understanding the chair of the inquiry, senior Scottish judge Alan Turnbull, intends to seek the views of "those most affected" by the bombing before they are published.
Mr Martin added: "Officials stand ready to engage with members of the UK's inquiry team as soon as they are appointed.
"When we have further clarity on the nature of the UK inquiry, I will then consider, along with the Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee) and my Cabinet colleagues, the next steps in this jurisdiction.
"As has been done in relation to a number of historical inquiries, this State will co-operate fully.
"Justice for the victims and the families impacted by this atrocity will be at the heart of any action that the Government takes."
'Omagh bomb totally changed my life' - survivor
Mr Heaton-Harris has said that lessons must be learnt from the devastation caused by the Omagh bombing 25 years ago.
He said that the British government continues to have the deepest sympathy for all those who were impacted by the atrocity.
He said: "Twenty five years ago today, news of the bombing of Omagh reverberated around the world.
"The horrific terrorist atrocity of 15 August 1998, committed by the Real IRA, caused untold damage to the families of the 29 people and two unborn children who were tragically killed, and the 220 people who were injured.
"To this day, it remains the largest loss of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland.
"The government has the deepest sympathy for all of those affected.
"Taking place only months after the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, the bombing occurred at a time when the people of Northern Ireland were looking to a future without the violence that had sadly dominated the previous three decades."
The Northern Ireland Secretary added: "The Omagh atrocity, just like other acts of terrorism before or since, had absolutely no justification, and never will.
"In February, I announced the government would establish an independent statutory inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing.
"While responsibility for this appalling crime lies with the murderers and those that assisted them, it is important that all lessons are learned and that confidence in this is given to the families of those affected, and to wider society.
"Last year, I visited the site of the bombing with relatives of the deceased - a very sobering experience - and crossed the road to visit the Memorial Garden of Light which commemorates all those who lost their lives.
"Today, like they were then, my thoughts are with the families and all those impacted by the Omagh bombing a quarter of a century ago."
