The families of the victims of the Dublin bombings gathered in the public gallery at the Coroner's Court yesterday, and after 29 years heard the inquests into the deaths of their loved ones formally reopen.
Some had been in the Coroner's Court all those years ago when the inquest first opened in 1974 and was adjourned.
Yesterday, the Dublin City Coroner acknowledged them, and said: "I understand some of you were present in the Coroner's Court on May 27th, 1974. So much time has passed, a lifetime has passed, and I hope to bring these inquests to an expeditious conclusion."
Ms Michelle O'Brien was only eight when her mother, Ms Anne Byrne, was killed in Talbot Street.
"My mother went to the shops and was murdered. She was only 35. I was eight and my brother was four.
"I have mixed emotions today. They took our lives that day too, but I hope with the inquests we can get our lives back."
Ms O'Brien said she thought the reopening of the inquests was something that would never happen. The families had been fighting for such a long time. They had been living with this for 29 years.
"I'm hoping now that I may get some sort of closure, and then I hope that all the families will be able to get on with their lives."
Ms Margaret McNicholl travelled from Northern Ireland to be present at the reopening of the inquest. Her sister, Ms May McKenna (55), from Co Tyrone, died in Talbot Street.
"I think the inquests will be very good for everybody; for all the families. We have waited for such a long time and we've been kept in the dark."
Ms Bernie McNally was injured in the Talbot Street bomb. She was working in a shoe shop when it happened.
"I'm delighted for the families that the inquests have finally reopened. These people deserve to have the deaths given recognition."
Before the hearing, the families, who are members of the Justice for the Forgotten Group, gathered at their family support centre nearby and walked to the Coroner's Court.
Two foreign nationals were killed in the Dublin bombings.They were Ms Simone Chetrit, a French citizen, and Mr Antonio Magliocco, an Italian citizen. Representatives of the French and Italian embassies were present.
Also attending was an observer, Mr Cody K McCone, of a New York firm of attorneys which represents a survivor who now lives in the US.