The inquests into the deaths of 26 people in the Dublin bombings 29 years ago were formally reopened yesterday.
The Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said he was reopening the inquests into the deaths in Dublin on or after May 17th, 1974, and of one person who died from his injuries after the bombing in Monaghan.
"The decision to reopen the inquests has not been easily or lightly made," Dr Farrell said.
A number of considerations had arisen, the most important being that he should have great care about the effect it would have on the bereaved families.
"We would not wish to be intrusive or impinge on the families after so long. I'm fortified that almost all the bereaved families support the reopening," he said.
Dr Farrell had written to the Garda Commissioner seeking Garda files on the bombings. He had received acknowledgement of this. If anybody else had any information which they felt he should have, they should contact the office. They had received a number of such phone calls.
Mr Patrick Gageby SC appeared for the Justice for the Forgotten Group and the victims' families with Mr Cormac Ó Dualachain SC.
Mr Gageby said it was estimated that the inquests could run to 10 working days because there were so many deaths to be looked into. "We agree with the observations you made to Mr Greg O'Neill (solicitor for the Justice for the Forgotten Group) in correspondence that it was in the greater public interest to commence the inquests after the inquiry by Mr Justice Henry Barron as it would hopefully bring more light and understanding to the structure of the inquest," he said.
Mr Gageby said a number of people were also murdered in the town of Monaghan and inquests were opened and concluded there in the summer of 1974.
"We are asking the Attorney General to consider effectively the reopening of these under the Act. If it should be that the AG decided in our favour, it would seem natural that it would be you, Coroner, who should do that."
Those whose inquests they were seeking to re-open were Mr Patrick Askin; Mr Thomas Campbell; Mr Archie Harper; Mr Jack Travers; Mr George Williamson; and Ms Peggy White.
In relation to the Dublin bombings, Ms Miriam Reilly, counsel for the families of the O'Briens and Mr Ed O'Neill, with Mr Michael Mansfield QC, who was not present, said they would try to reach consensus on the matter which would be controversial.
"We also believe it will be a complex and difficult inquest and Mr Mansfield believes it may last up to three to four weeks," Ms Reilly said. They believed that the resumption of the hearings was not contingent on the Barron report. Mr Justice Barron had no duty to her clients, she said. The report may not be completed so they did not think the hearing should be contingent on it.
Mr Fergal Foley, counsel for the Garda Commissioner, said 10 days was the more likely timeframe.
Formally re-opening the inquests, Dr Farrell read out the names of the victims starting with those who died in the Talbot Street bomb on May 17th, 1974: Ms Josephine Bradley; Ms Ann Byrne; Ms Simone Chetrit; Ms Concepta Dempsey, who died on June 11th 1974; Ms Colette Doherty and her unborn infant; Ms Elizabeth Fitzgerald who died on May 20, 1974; Ms Breda Grace; Ms May McKenna; Ms Anne Marren; Ms Dorothy Morris; Ms Marie Phelan; Ms Siobhan Roice; Ms Maureen Shields; Mr John Walsh. He said in the Parnell Street bomb, the victims were: Ms Marie Butler; Mr John Dargle; Mr Patrick Fay; Mr Antonio Magliocco; Mr Edward O'Neill; Ms Breda Turner; members of the O'Brien family, Anne, John, Anne-Marie and Jacqueline. Those who died in the South Leinster Street bomb were Ms Anna Massey and Ms Christine O'Loughlin.
The inquest would also open into the death of Mr Thomas Croarkin who died of injuries on July 23rd, 1974, after the Monaghan bombing, he said.
Dr Farrell adjourned the inquests until September 18th at 2.30 p.m. for mention of procedural matters.