Inquests into 1974 bombings reopened

The inquests into the deaths of 34 people in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings 30 years ago were reopened yesterday by the Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell.

Families of the victims of one of the worst atrocities in the history of the State were the first witnesses to give evidence.

Some 11 relatives, including members of the Justice for the Forgotten group, gave harrowing accounts of the last known movements of the victims of the bombs at Parnell Street and Talbot Street, Dublin. The families of those killed in the Monaghan bombing are expected to appear before the Coroner's Court this morning.

Dr Farrell said he hoped the inquests would take approximately two weeks. It is expected they will finish before the 30th anniversary of the bombings, on May 17th.

The court, which has been moved to the Dublin International Arbitration Centre for the duration of the inquests to facilitate the families, will also hear evidence from survivors, eye witnesses, Garda witnesses, technical and forensic witnesses.

Dr Farrell said he was beginning with the evidence of the bereaved to allow the voices of the families to be heard and to establish when the victims were last seen alive. "I think it's very important to hear the families speaking for their deceased members."

Evidence from eyewitnesses is due to begin tomorrow morning. Dr Farrell said he intended to hear these witnesses in the order the bombings happened, starting with Parnell Street, Talbot Street, South Leinster Street and finally Monaghan.

Witnesses to any relevant events prior to the bombings would then be heard followed by those who led the forensic investigation and the police and Garda inquiries.Empanelling the jury, Dr Farrell, said the inquest did not have extra-territorial authority, and while witnesses within the State could be summonsed to the inquest, witnesses from other jurisdictions could only be requested to attend.

He said it was necessary to have a full and thorough inquiry into the deaths of the 34 people including one unborn child and reminded the jury that they were inquiring into the deaths of their fellow citizens.

They were inquiring into the deaths of "each individual", he said. However, as this was an inquest, there would be no question of a finding of criminal or civil liability.