In a recent meeting in Dublin’s Government Buildings, Simon Harris, the Taoiseach, offered an absolute apology to the families affected by the horrifying Stardust fire incident. A further public apology on behalf of the State will be issued by Mr Harris during a Dáil session this coming Tuesday. The victims’ families have been encouraged to be present when the formal address happens and there will be a reading of the names of all 48 victims in the Dáil chamber.
In his statement issued later this afternoon, Mr Harris expressed his deep emotions and humility after interacting with around 70 individuals who had links to the tragedy. Relatives of the young victims, who lost their lives in the devastating fire that swept through the Artane nightclub in north Dublin in 1981, have been pleading for this official State apology for a long time.
An inquest jury deemed the victims to be unlawfully killed in the verdict released on Thursday. This follows the 1982 ruling that concluded that the fire had been purposely set. About 50 family members embarked on a trip to the Government Buildings on Saturday morning, where a warm welcome was extended to them by Mr Harris at the entrance steps. They had an interaction with the leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, at a city centre hotel prior to this.
Reflecting on the discussions, Mr Harris labelled it a “humbling and emotional meeting”.
“I am deeply appreciative of every person who was present and for sharing their stories with me during our group and individual discussions” he said.
He responded to the attendance, stating “Over 70 people joined us at the Department of the Taoiseach today”.
However, he was also quick to recognise that the number of people impacted by the Stardust tragedy extends far beyond this initial group. Mr Harris acknowledged the multitude who suffered including the injured, the Stardust staff, the emergency crews who tirelessly battled to save lives that night, the survivors and many others.
Listening intently to all the families had to share, he, as the Taoiseach, offered an unconditional apology to each family personally and pledged a formal apology on behalf of the State in the upcoming Dáil session on Tuesday.
After a meeting with Mr Harris, Antoinette Keegan, a survivor of the Stardust tragedy who lost her sisters Mary and Martina in the event, expressed her satisfaction. After 43 years, she felt their pleas had finally been heard. Still, she warned that if next week’s apology did not meet their expectations, they would not accept it. During the meeting, the Taoiseach recognised the victims as individuals, not numbers, as she felt they were treated in the 1980s.
Keegan acknowledged the significant progress made through the recent inquest, stating that the victims have regained their identities and reputations after being reduced to mere numbers for four decades.
Sadly, for others like Brigid McDermott who lost her three offspring, William, Marcella and George in the disaster, even an apology from the state is just too late. Her daughter, Bridget McDermott, anticipates the forthcoming meeting at the Dáil where they expect a commitment from Mr Harris alongside a written apology for each affected family.
Maurice and Phyllis McHugh, who lost their teenage daughter Caroline in the same incident, intrigue for a criminal probe but understand that the final decision rests with the authorities.
Carole Barrett, who also lost a sibling named Michael in the tragic event, affirms that the dialogue went well but insisted on the necessity for a potent, meaningful and transparent apology from the authorities.
In a similar vein, Darragh Mackin who represents the families legally, described the discourse with the Taoiseach as positive with powerful exchanges. He indicated that discussions about a potential compensation scheme had not yet commenced, and it was still too soon to deliberate on such a scheme.
The necessity for the apology to be correctly given was emphasized, alongside an assertion that acceptance and understanding of the contents of this regret is crucial before moving forward. Mr Mackin brought to light that the families are willing to collaborate with Mr Harris in formulating the contents of the apology and have explicitly communicated their desires.
He underscored that the regret should include the ongoing, systemic mistreatment families have suffered for over four decades. The jury, consisting of seven females and five males, ruled by majority that an electrical issue in the bar’s hot press led to the catastrophic fire in the wee hours of Valentine’s Day, 1981.
On Friday, the Taoiseach stated his keenness to engage with the families, recognising that they have felt neglected for many years. He expressed his wish to listen to them and assure them of his eagerness to present a national apology as the Taoiseach. However, he believes that meeting them prior is the most suitable approach. He is anxious to offer a formal apology but deems it necessary to meet the families in person first.
Post the morning meeting, Mary Lou McDonald released a statement, declaring the necessity for the State to now put forth an apology and to address past governmental failings, not just in the immediate aftermath 43 years ago, but on every day since then. McDonald remarked on the immense hurdles the families have had to cross, placed there by the State over the past four decades.