LAST UPDATE | 25 Apr 2023
FRESH INQUESTS INTO the Stardust nightclub tragedy have heard how the victims of the fire will be “at the heart” of the process, and that their lives must be “vindicated”.
The Stardust tragedy saw 48 young people killed and over 200 people injured at a disco in the Stardust nightclub in Artane on 14 February 1981.
It comes after months of delay to the inquests, following legal action taken by the former manager of the Stardust nightclub, Eamon Butterly, over the decision of Cullinane to include ‘unlawful killing’ as a potential verdict.
However, the High Court ruled last November that a verdict of unlawful killing would be made available to potential jurors.
Last week, 15 jurors were empanelled by Dublin District Coroners Court to hear evidence during the inquest.
However, evidence and testimony will not be heard until after the reading of pen portraits for each of the 48 victims takes place.
The opening of the inquest has been welcomed by the families this morning, with Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters – Mary and Martina – in the tragedy calling it a “massive day”.
“It’s very important – it’s a massive day for us, we’ve been waiting 42 years for this day to come, and finally we’re here,” Keegan said.
“It’s actually going to describe the human side of each victim, which is the first time in the history of the State that this has ever been done, pen portraits at the inquest. It’s a massive big day for us families.”
Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, who represents some of the families, said that it was a “momentous day” in the campaign for justice.
“Today is a momentous day, it’s the start of the end of a very long journey for these families,” he said.
“It’s disappointing it’s taken so long to get to this stage but, crucially and most importantly, today marks the start of what hopefully is the end of this campaign for truth and justice.
“More importantly it starts with a tribute (from) every family member who has come here today, a tribute to each victim which we say is very important in a case like this, that we start with and we end with those that are most important – the victims themselves.”
The families gathered at the Garden of Remembrance at 9.30am, before making the short walk to the Pillar Room in the Rotunda Hospital.
Dr Myra Cullinane, Senior Coroner, told the jury this morning that the central focus of the inquest would be on the victims of the fire.
“It is a very important morning,” Cullinane said, adding that the jury had a “very important task to fulfil”.
“They [Stardust victims] are at the heart of this inquest and it must be their lives that are vindicated.”
Following this, Cullinane read the names of all 48 victims into the inquest’s record.
The formal call of witnesses is due to start with staff and management – before patrons of the nightclub are heard.
At a pre-inquest hearing last Thursday, 20 April, Sean Guerin SC said this approach was a “source of concern”.
“There’s a couple of reasons for that,” he said.
“The first is that patrons of the premises and those who went there on the night with friends and family expecting to be received and accommodated in a safe and hospitable way, that those are the witnesses of first importance in the inquest process.
“We do think that the natural order (is) for the patrons of the premises to be heard first.”
Cullinane said the reason staff and management would be called first is in the interest of “chronology” and taking into account one the modules of the inquest which is the preparations for the night of the fire.
Guerin contended it would be preferable to call patrons and emergency service personnel first because their testimony may lead to evidential issues which would be required to be addressed by staff and management.
“If you call them (staff) first without them having had an opportunity to hear that evidence, the very real possibility arises that some or many of them have to be recalled,” he said.
“That’s a practical and evidential aspect of the issue.”
Guerin said chronological presentation is not necessarily the easiest way for a jury to assimilate information.
Dr Cullinane said she would give more consideration to the order of witnesses.
The Journal, makers of the Stardust podcast, will also be bringing you the latest from the inquests as they happen, in a sensitive manner and a careful eye for detail, through our newsletter The Stardust Inquest.
You’ll receive updates from the inquest hearings themselves and other important details on the process.
Includes reporting by Tadgh McNally and Press Association
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