Belfast - A memorial service to mark the tenth anniversary of the worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland troubles, the Omagh bombing, was held in the County Tyrone town on Friday.

The attack, carried out by the Real IRA, a dissident Republican group, on 15th August 1998 killed 29 people.

Irish President Mary McAleese said in advance of the ceremony that "Omagh '98 will always be remembered for the horrific loss of innocent life and the terrible suffering caused to so many. But the way that its people responded to that tragedy will also mark Omagh '98 as a monument to the triumph of hope over despair."

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said that "as we continue to build a peaceful and a better future, [the Omagh bombing] remains an indelible stain on our history that will never be forgotten.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were killed and injured, and all of those who still grieve for their loss and who continue to search for justice."

However, the event has already been marked by controversy over the wording of an inscription on the memorial. Irish national broadcaster RTE reported that the ceremony would be boycotted by members of the Omagh support group who are unhappy with the omission of any mention of the group responsible for the killings on the new memorial structure. (dpa)