As the investigation into the 1981 Stardust fire continues, the jury was informed by Dublin coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that uncovering facts about the incident does not necessarily indicate anyone’s guilt or legal violation. Dr Cullinane was addressing a number of inquiries put forward by the seven-member female and five-member male jury during their seventh day of deliberations into the inquests of the tragic event that led to the death of 48 individuals aged between 16 and 27.
She emphasised that the jurors needed to contemplate the particular “laws, bylaws and regulations that were applicable during the fire”. According to her, the jury should weigh the circumstances of the fatalities against the “standards of the time”. Nevertheless, Dr Cullinane pointed out that in cases where there might not have been any standards at the time, the jury could consider the accepted norms and behaviours, but must examine whether those behaviours entailed apparent, intrinsic risks.
When asked if affirming a question about the fire could imply wrongdoing or legal violation, Dr Cullinane made it clear that the jury’s task was simply to answer inquiries factually. Legally, they are not allowed to connect any failure or breach of law to any identifiable person. Their duty is to deliver verdicts for each of the 48 victims, which can range from accidental, misadventure, unlawful killing, open to narrative.
In her previous instructions to the jurors, Dr Cullinane added that they must remain “impartial” and “objective”. She also mentioned that they were not under any pressure to arrive at their conclusions promptly.
Evidence relating to the procedures employed in this case, including alternative ways they may have been carried out, has been presented to you. Certain pieces of this evidence aim to establish a definite course of events,” she articulated. “Yet, both of us are not authorised to make a judgement… connecting any individual with a criminal or civil liability.”
The panel’s deliberations are ongoing.