In the wake of the Northern peace agreement, survivors and victims and prominent Irish people in Britain yesterday spoke of their hopes for the future.
Mr Billy Power, who was wrongly jailed for 16 years for the Birmingham pub bombings said: "I am delighted. I have been praying for peace, and hoping beyond all hope that this agreement will lay down the groundwork to bring the two communities together. It is a victory for the people, there has been so much momentum for peace it was unstoppable."
Boxer Barry McGuigan said: "It's historic." The former champion, born in Monaghan and living in the south of England continued: " I am absolutely delighted, it is an historic day. I spent most of my professional life working and training in Belfast and I know this agreement reflects what the man on the street wants - peace and respect."
Others voiced their fear that unless arms were surrendered, the killings would continue. Mr John Arbuthnot OBE, whose policewoman daughter Jane was killed in the Harrods bomb blast in London said: "I shall believe peace when I see it. Talking is all well and good but if one madman has a bomb and a gun they will continue to kill wherever they trade their beastly business."
However, peace campaigner Mr Colin Parry whose son Tim was killed in the IRA Warrington bomb blast said he was "delighted" with the dawn of the new era.