Taoiseach Simon Harris has officially and unequivocally given an apology on the part of the State to the bereaved families of the Stardust fire, a tragedy occurring 43 years past, where 48 individuals, aged from 16 to 27, succumbed and 214 others suffered injuries. This announcement was made in the Dáil, with many family members present in the visitor galleries.
Harris made clear his remorse, “Today, we apologise officially and unambiguously: we let you down when you required us the most. From the outset, we ought to have supported you, rather we obligated you to oppose us.” He then proceeded to read the names of all 48 individuals who had tragically perished and made a few brief comments about each, directly addressing their families during his speech.
In what can only be seen as self-reprimand, he stated, “The Stardust families haven’t received the help they needed from a compassionate State, but have been ignored, been shunned for two generations in their pursuit for truth and justice. On top of this, the actions of the State added distress to an already painful event for the families, a fact for which we are deeply ashamed.”
The Taoiseach ended his speech with hope: “I trust that this is the point at which the State, which exacerbated your terrible pain, begins to aid you on your healing journey.”
During an earlier part of the session, Leas Cheann Chomhairle Catherine Connolly greeted the families warmly. This elicited a prolonged standing ovation from the TDs.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald added that on that horrific night, the families who arrived at the police station were bluntly directed to take the bus to the hospital or morgue. She criticised this as a continuous demonstration of disrespect and sheer disregard for the families over the past four decades.
McDonald further condemned the “big lie” that had been perpetuated since the tragic event: that the Stardust fire was a result of arson. This falsehood not only defamed and criminalised the families, but also raised questions on who was responsible for this deception, their motives, and whom they were attempting to shield.
Seán Haughey, a member of the Irish political party Fianna Fáil and TD for Dublin Bay North, acknowledged that he always endeavoured to deal with any concerns raised by the families’ campaign committee. Despite this, he admitted having an occasionally tense relationship with the committee, expressing regret over this fact. His father, Charlie Haughey, was the Irish Prime Minister or Taoiseach at the time.
Richard Bruton, a former minister for the Irish political party Fine Gael and also a TD for Dublin Bay North, expressed remorse to the grieving families. He admitted that their constituency representatives, himself included, had not fulfilled their duty towards them.
Representative Aodhán Ó Riordáin from the Labour party, also a TD for Dublin Bay North, reflected upon the tragic memories ignited by the word ‘Stardust’. He spoke of innocent young people misguided into a deadly trap, losing their lives and leaving their families in unbearable grief. He condemned the fact that the quest for justice took 43 lengthy years primarily due to the community being predominantly working-class. The idea of anyone having a second-rate life or dying an undignified death, he said, was a harsh reality and an affront to the very essence of a republic.
Ms Connolly took a critical stance towards the findings of several judiciary reports. She pointed out that every report was laced with bias. She argued that the family evidence was portrayed as compromised, unlike the evidence from the state and rich individuals. This, she believed, was a blatant instance of the powerful safeguarding their own interests.