The verdict on the deaths of 48 young individuals at the Stardust nightclub in the tragic fire incident of 1981 was released on Thursday, and the consequence was unlawful killing. This unfortunate disaster, which occurred in north Dublin on February 14th decades ago, resulted in collective grief and trauma, passed down through generations. Relatives of the victims have demanded a formal acknowledgement and apologies from the State, referencing forty years of suffering.
The decision of unlawful demise was passed by a group of twelve jurors at the Dublin District Coroner’s Court, after listening to 373 witnesses’ testimonies and reviewing evidence over a span of more than 90 days. The courtroom, situated in the Pillar Room in the Rotunda hospital, was packed with hundreds of bereaved family members who reacted with mixed feelings of grief and relief to the conclusion.
The cause of the blazing inferno, which was previously unknown, was found out to be a malfunction in the electrical system located in a hot-press in the main bar, situated next to a seating area known as the west alcove. Various other factors including poor visibility due to black smoke, unfamiliarity with the club’s layout, toxic smoke and gases, heat, the swift spread of fire, and the failure of emergency lighting paired with staff unpreparedness were also found to have complicated the patron’s efforts to escape the burning nightclub.
Of notable concern was that during the catastrophe, all or some of the club’s six exits were either locked, blocked or tied up, another component the jury deemed to have led significantly to the death toll. All victims of the tragedy, aged between 16 to 27, succumbed as a result of this array of complications.
Darragh Mackin, a solicitor representing 44 out of the 45 families affected, labelled the conclusions of the case as “historic”. “The fact that these families were wrongly accused and vilified forty years ago has now been acknowledged,” he said. “These families, their friends and their community were once told they weren’t speaking the truth, which has now been proven false. This judgement vindicates these families, disproving past accusations.”
He further added: “These families are urging the government to offer an apology. They’ve experienced years of distress and suffering. The government must now apologise for these actions in order to firmly establish the redemption of these families.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris, speaking in Brussels post the European summit, stated that he has requested the advice of the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General regarding the inquest’s conclusions and their potential political repercussions. He also made contact with the victims’ families, and intends to arrange a meeting with them shortly.
Survivor Antoinette Keegan, who tragically lost her sisters Mary (19) and Martina (16) in the fire, was extremely moved by the outcome. “I’m just astonished…we’ve finally heard the truth. We never surrendered. We never could.”
President Michael D Higgins lauded the families involved. He acclaimed the vindication of their strugge, which stretched over a long 43 years period, fought by family, friends and the community of the 48 young victims. He asserted that these youngsters, who perished prematurely on a night intended for joy and friendship, were honoured due to persistence and determination of their families.
The endurance of these families led to the inquests being held, stated by Dublin coroner Dr Myra Cullinane during the concluding remarks. She acknowledged that the Stardust fire and subsequent loss had a significant impact on their lives. She expressed hope that the inquests would offer some comfort.
In her concluding statement regarding the 48 who died “that fateful night”, she asserted that these were the lives “we were attempting to validate” via the inquests in the past year.