The inquest into the deaths of two men killed during a failed raid on Lusk post office has re-opened at the Dublin City Coroner's Court.
Customers and workers at the Village Store have been recalling the day when the botched robbery took place.
Colm Griffin and Eric village on 26 May 2005.
This afternoon a staff member at the Village Store, Patrice McMahon, said she feared for her life and could think of nothing other than her daughter as she lay on the ground after been told to do so by an armed raider.
In a statement given to gardaí she said she was shaking and crying but stopped herself because she was afraid she would attract the attention of the gunmen, who she thought would kill her.
Ms McMahon said she heard two loud cracks and knew that a gun had been fired.
Egg delivery man Stephen Lawless said one of the raiders pointed a handgun directly in his face and told him to get onto the ground.
Mr Lawless said he was shocked and at first thought it was a prank. He also said that he saw gardaí giving first aid to the men who were shot.
Earlier today Detective Superintendent Dominic Hayes told the court that gardaí received information that a robbery was being planned on Lusk Post Office on that day.
A cash delivery was due to be made to the office and a surveillance operation was put in place.
The court heard that Mr Griffin was seen in a white van travelling towards Lusk that morning.
Two other cars suspected of involvement, a Hyundai Trajet and a Skoda, were also seen in the vicinity of Lusk village on the morning in question.
Victoria Cuspenata, the manager on duty at the Londis Top Shop in Lusk village on the day the attempted robbery took place, told Coroner Brian Farrell how on that morning she heard loud bangs and shouting coming from the shop as she sat in a back office.
She said she tried to dial Lusk Garda Station during the incident but it was engaged.
Mr Hopkins and Mr Griffin, who were part of the gang involved in the robbery, died at the scene after gardaí opened fire.
Security is tight at the Coroner's Court on Store Street in Dublin today as fears for the safety of some gardaí have been expressed.
Members of the public are being searched and magnetic screening devices are in place at the entrance to the court.
