A garda and a former garda have told the Dublin and Monaghan bombings inquest of the devastation and destruction on Parnell Street after the first of the Dublin bombs exploded.
Supt Michael McKenna, then Garda McKenna, was the first officer to the scene of the Parnell Street bomb. He had been on traffic duty at the Parnell Monument at the junction of Parnell Street and O'Connell Street.
"I heard the explosion and turned to see flames burst out. It was a really horrific occasion. I have never forgotten it and I don't think I ever will forget it. The ground shook under me and there was utter devastation."
He saw the body of who he now knows to be Mr Antonio Magliocco outside the Venetian Cafe, with injuries to the back of his head. He saw two more bodies outside the West Brook garage and one inside. He tried to use his armbands to stop the flow of blood from a number of the victims, but some were clearly killed instantly by the blast.
"I did what I could with my limited knowledge of first-aid but some of the injuries were too horrific and I couldn't do anything for them."
He didn't remember seeing any children or babies among the killed and injured, and he said he hadn't noticed anything suspicious prior to the blast.
Garda Martin Conway, now retired, had been driving home from a shift at Kevin Street Garda Station and was passing Peats electrical shop on Parnell Street when he heard the explosion.
He remembers coming upon the bodies of who he now believes to be Ms Marie Butler and Mr Eddie O'Neill. A doctor and nurse were attending to them.There were other bodies buried in rubble in the basement of Tyrrells Butchers.
He said he did not see any children or a young couple in their early 20s.
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