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Birmingham pub bombings: Inquests into 1974 deaths to resume Birmingham pub bombings: Jury sworn in for inquests
(about 2 hours later)
Inquests for the 21 victims of the Birmingham pub bombings are set to reopen later after a long legal fight by families. A brother and sister whose father was among the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings say they are hoping for "the truth" from the resumed inquests.
Two bombs planted by the IRA on 21 November 1974 ripped through the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs, killing 21 and injuring 182.Two bombs planted by the IRA on 21 November 1974 ripped through the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs, killing 21 and injuring 182.
The individual inquests are expected to last nine weeks and a jury will return verdicts on how all the victims died. A jury was sworn in earlier as the inquests reopened after a long fight by families.
Paul Anthony Bridgewater and Michelle Sealey are among the relatives.
Mr Bridgewater, whose father Paul Anthony Davies died in the bombings, said: "The coroner has ruled out a lot of things but we want the truth really. 
"We want the truth and we want to know what happened back then. It's been too long and there's that many theories out there and unanswered questions as well."
Coroner Sir Peter Thornton said the jury of six women and five men had an "important civic duty" as he adjourned the inquests until Tuesday.
The individual inquests could last up to six weeks, the coroner said at Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre. The jury will return verdicts on how all the victims died.
The hearings will begin with a "pen portrait" of each person killed.The hearings will begin with a "pen portrait" of each person killed.
Sir Peter Thornton QC will preside over the legal proceedings.
An inquest was opened days after the bombings but adjourned because the case was subject to a criminal investigation.An inquest was opened days after the bombings but adjourned because the case was subject to a criminal investigation.
The Birmingham Six were jailed for the murders and served 17 years behind bars before their convictions were quashed.The Birmingham Six were jailed for the murders and served 17 years behind bars before their convictions were quashed.
Despite the subsequent overturning of the verdicts, the inquest was never reopened. Despite the subsequent overturning of the verdicts, the inquests were never reopened.
Fresh inquests were ordered in 2016 but delayed because victims' families disagreed with the coroner, who ruled out naming those suspected of carrying out the bombings.Fresh inquests were ordered in 2016 but delayed because victims' families disagreed with the coroner, who ruled out naming those suspected of carrying out the bombings.
But the Court of Appeal in September upheld the coroner's decision.But the Court of Appeal in September upheld the coroner's decision.
Some of the family members are considering whether to boycott or walk out of upcoming inquests.Some of the family members are considering whether to boycott or walk out of upcoming inquests.
Sir Peter is due to give his closing address on 28 March and the jury's deliberations will follow the next day.Sir Peter is due to give his closing address on 28 March and the jury's deliberations will follow the next day.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Midlands correspondent Sima KotechaBy Midlands correspondent Sima Kotecha
Today marks a significant moment in this long running story.Today marks a significant moment in this long running story.
These attacks on Birmingham happened more than four decades ago - and still the families of those killed have many unanswered questions.These attacks on Birmingham happened more than four decades ago - and still the families of those killed have many unanswered questions.
Some of them have fought with every ounce of their energy to have the inquests into the bombings reopened to try and establish some of the detail that has been missing.Some of them have fought with every ounce of their energy to have the inquests into the bombings reopened to try and establish some of the detail that has been missing.
Today, the coroner will begin that process of attempting to fill some of the gaps - but will it be enough?Today, the coroner will begin that process of attempting to fill some of the gaps - but will it be enough?
Already the scope of the inquest has been narrowed - and the crucial perpetrator issue will not be addressed so the families will not discover who was behind the killings.Already the scope of the inquest has been narrowed - and the crucial perpetrator issue will not be addressed so the families will not discover who was behind the killings.
So what will they learn over these weeks - and will it add anything new to what they already know, even though it may not be in the public domain?So what will they learn over these weeks - and will it add anything new to what they already know, even though it may not be in the public domain?
The answer to the latter will assess the effectiveness of the process in their eyes.The answer to the latter will assess the effectiveness of the process in their eyes.
However, for the coroner and the courts, a much sought after inquest taking place in the first place is likely to be viewed as a triumph.However, for the coroner and the courts, a much sought after inquest taking place in the first place is likely to be viewed as a triumph.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.