For the first time since the case began, Sophia McColgan did not sit in the front row of the court with her siblings yesterday morning. She took a place behind them with her partner, as if signalling that one phase of her life was now over and another about to begin.
In contrast with the many days she had sat hunched and tensefaced, occasionally weeping quietly, she was smiling as she chatted to him. Across the aisle social workers and other employees of the health board were also relaxed and smiling.
Dr Moran sat apart, in one of the rows usually reserved for barristers, accompanied by his wife, son and daughter. They were joined by an elderly woman, later identified as his mother-in-law, Mrs Kay Mangan.
The atmosphere in the crowded courtroom was almost gay, as the lawyers who had confronted each other, often clashing sharply, during the eight weeks since the case began smiled with relief.
Senior counsel Garrett Cooney rose to tell the judge the case had been settled, without any admission of liability. The health board's senior counsel, John Rogers, said on behalf of the board that it had been appalled by the suffering of the four McColgan children. The judge said he was delighted the case had been settled, and that many of those who had been in the court would leave it sadder and wiser. There was no statement on behalf of Dr Moran.
It was all over in 10 minutes. As litigants and lawyers rose to leave, a number of the social workers who had dealt with the family in the mid-1980s, and expressed their concerns about their safety at that time, hugged the plaintiffs before they left the courtroom.
It was another 20 minutes before Sophia emerged, composed, carrying a single red rose given to her earlier by a well-wisher. She moved slowly towards the entrance to the Four Courts, pausing on the way to talk to friends, members of the media, her lawyers and supporters.
Outside, flanked by her brothers, Gerard and Keith, and sister-in-law Sandy, she made a brief statement, expressing their delight at the outcome of the case.
"The settlement of these proceedings has resulted in the payment to each of us of a very substantial six-figure sum for damages, together with the payment of all our legal costs," she said. "We believe that we have told the truth, that we have been listened to and that justice has been done.
"We are very grateful to the very many people who have offered their support to us throughout the duration of the case. This was a source of great comfort to us.
"It is our earnest wish that this case will help other people who have been the victims of abuse to realise that there is no shame in having been abused."
Asked how she felt she said: "On top of the world," adding that the case had assisted in the healing process.
She declined to answer questions on aspects of the case, and it fell to her brother Gerard to appeal for "some space" to savour the end of an ordeal which had gone on for over 20 years. The assembled media fell back, silent.
At a press conference later the McColgans were more jubilant. "There is justice in Ireland," declared Gerard. "We saw this here today. It's making Ireland a better place to live in. People should not be afraid to come forward with their complaints."
He was going to relax with his wife and son, he said. Sophia said she too was going to take a brief break. "I'm going to do the therapy as prescribed and try and become a better person as a result of all this," she said. Keith joined in these sentiments, saying he wanted to "put the past behind me, and get counselling in the future". Michelle could not be there because of problems with her children, but, according to Gerard, was also delighted.
Asked about their father, Gerard said that he had made an attempt to contact the family after his imprisonment but their mother had instructed Arbour Hill that they wanted no contact with him. She lives in Ballymote with the two youngest children, but was in court for most of the case.
As the media drifted away an unopened bottle of champagne sat on a table. There would be a few drinks, Gerard said, but then they were all heading back to Sligo for, in the words of Sophia, "a hug" from the grandparents who had supported them throughout.