THE inquest on the IRA man killed by his own bomb in the London bus explosion will be opened and adjourned today at Westminster Coroner's Court. His family have already "unreservedly condemned" the bombing and said they do not want a paramilitary funeral for their son.
British police sources believe that Mr Edward O'Brien (21), from Gorey, Co Wexford, also planted the device found last week in a telephone box in London's West End. The device was detonated by anti terrorist officers. But he is not suspected of being involved in the IRA bombing in Docklands which killed two men and injured more than a 100 people.
The police also confirmed they raided Mr O'Brien's flat in south east London and found a quantity of Semtex and bomb making equipment.
The funeral of the second victim killed in the Docklands bomb was held yesterday at Lewisham Crematorium in south east London. Mr John Jefferies (31) was killed with his friend, Mr Inan Bashir, while working in a newsagent's kiosk outside the South Quay train station.
Mr Jefferies's father, John, a widower, led the mourners at the private service, which began with a song written by his son called Glad To Be Alive. Father Peter Allen told the congregation that Mr Jefferies had always dreamt of becoming a pop star and that they should try to forgive his murderers.
Doctors have said the condition of the four people still recovering in hospital from injuries received in the bus bombing has improved.