The families of 34 people murdered in the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings announced yesterday they will be going to court to force the government to hand over crucial documents linked to the atrocity.

Forty years ago today three car bombs exploded in Dublin city centre and a fourth in the town of Monaghan. Among the victims was an unborn child, and hundreds were injured.

The bombings, the worst atrocity of the Troubles, were carried out by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force, but there have long been suspicions that British security forces were involved. No-one has ever been charged with the bombings.