The likelihood of a new investigation by the Garda into the infamous Stardust disaster has increased significantly, following a ruling in the inquest that the 48 victims of the 1981 fire in Artane, north Dublin, were unlawfully killed. Initiating a new criminal probe into these unlawful deaths would arguably be the largest multiple murder investigation in contemporary times.
Following the end of the inquest process yesterday, the Garda is set to review the report prepared by the coroner. This evaluation would not only decide if crimes were reported in the document, but also if a new criminal investigation is needed. Additionally, the review would assess the potential success of any new criminal investigation based on new information or new avenues of enquiry stemming from the inquest. Despite this, these sources emphasised that following the verdict, no new criminal investigation has begun and cautioned that such a probe remains one possibility, once the report has been reviewed by the Garda.
Yesterday, it was publicly revealed for the first time, without reporting restrictions, that prior to the jury beginning its deliberations, former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly applied to the High Court. Shortly before the Easter weekend, Mr Butterly pursued permission for judicial review proceedings to challenge the coroner’s decisions to let the jury return an unlawful killing verdict. Mr Justice Tony O’Connor denied Mr Butterly’s application.
Responding to the verdicts, Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was in Brussels, stated that the decision of whether the unlawful killing verdicts would instigate a new criminal investigation by the Garda was not for him to decide. “I am cognisant that the gardaí will surely take into account the proceedings of the inquest today. The next course of action will be at their discretion,” he expressed. He further said that he had requested the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General to review the findings of the inquest and offer guidance to the Government about their potential consequences.
When questioned, the Garda Headquarters stated they were aware of the jury’s decision in the Stardust inquest, adding that they were awaiting the coroner’s report regarding the incident. They finished by echoing the sentiments of the entire An Garda Síochána, expressing their empathy for the victims’ families and the survivors of the Stardust tragedy.