The most significant narrative of the past week revolved around the inquest verdict for the Stardust fire that claimed the lives of 48 young individuals in North Dublin back in 1981. The families of the deceased cannot find any recompense in their suffering and loss. However, the verdict of unlawful killing delivers a much-delayed formal recognition of the events that transpired on that fateful night in Artane. This raises probing questions surrounding the delay in acknowledgement, prompting an evaluation of the equality before the law for every citizen.
Kitty Holland, our correspondent for Social Affairs, has been closely watching the unfolding of this case for quite a while. Her rich reporting on the 122-day hearings, and numerous interactions with the families have informed the meticulous narrative covering all that transpired from the time the fire started slightly post 1am on St Valentine’s night.
The emotional aftermath of the announcement was captured vividly by Miriam Lord. Every observer was touched by the depth of emotion – the jury, the lawyers, and even the coroner’s office staff and journalists, were moved to tears.
Mary Carolan, our Legal Affairs Correspondent, traced the challenging sequence of inquests, investigations, and inquiry tribunals that led to this juncture. She illustrated the stark difference between the legal support that the family received during this inquest compared to their past experiences.
It is well worth a read of the succinct sketches of the victims that we released throughout the inquest, shaped by the testimonies of their family and friends. These portraits paint the most truthful picture of the lives tragically cut short.
This weekend, we’ve curated a wide variety of stories for each and every reader. Our Northern Correspondent, Seanín Graham, examines the attractive conditions enticing doctors from Northern Ireland to work in southern regions, where the remuneration is over double. Meanwhile, Jack White delves into the struggles of young families who are striving to secure enough funds for a property deposit. One pair he spoke to had to resort to a stringent savings routine, setting aside 90% of their earnings each week. Shauna McNulty, a 29-year-old who has returned to live at home due to financial constraints, shares her heartbreaking story.
The weekend features a rich lineup of interviews, one of which is with Salman Rushdie, conducted by Washington Correspondent Keith Duggan. Salman opens up about the life-changing consequences of a brutal knife attack, a chapter of his life that he delves into deep in his latest book, ‘Knife.’ Reviewed by Houman Barekat, the book serves as Salman’s metaphorical weapon in what he describes as a ‘knife fight,’ and thus it is worth spending your time on.
Additionally, Róisín Ingle meets with actor Nicola Coughlan, while Niamh Donnelly sits down with writer Nuala O’Connor, who shares her experience of being diagnosed with autism in adulthood. Lastly, Pat Collins, the director who brought to screen John McGahern’s last novel, ‘That They May Face The Rising Sun,’ discusses his directing journey with Donald Clarke. A collection of compelling storytelling that is not to be missed this weekend.
Capitalising on the popularity of our Opinion section, we’ve recently expanded it with a new columnist and guest spot. The celebrated author of A Thread of Violence, Notes from an Apocalypse, and To Be a Machine, Mark O’Connell, has kicked off his run of weekend columns. His first piece delved into the use of AI in contemporary warfare. His upcoming column will focus on wellness expert Andrew Huberman. As Mark notes, while it’s ludicrous to turn a neuroscientist-podcaster into a symbol of all that is wrong with extreme individualistic techno-capitalism, Huberman does symbolise a somewhat mystical belief that life can be perfected through small changes.
Part of this expanded section, Sally Hayden shares her experience of being denied entry into Rwanda; Pat Leahy questions the leadership style of Simon Harris; and Jennifer O’Connell ponders the potential of surge pricing in the restaurant industry.
Turning the page to Sports, our GAA contributors namely Seán Moran, Malachy Clarkin, Denis Walsh, Gordon Manning and Nicky English are eagerly examining the upcoming hurling championship. Meanwhile, Gavin Cummiskey offers his analysis on the ongoing drama surrounding the FAI’s continuous search for a head coach for the men’s senior team.
Ruadhán Mac Cormaic
Editor