Irish government makes official apology to victims and families connected to the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire
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The Dublin Stardust nightclub fire in 1981 led to the deaths of 48 people, and a recent jury verdict found they were unlawfully killed. The fire, which started in the hot press of the main bar, was caused by an electrical fault.
Despite the initial slow progression of the fire, it quickly spread once it reached the balconies. Emergency exits were obstructed, making evacuation difficult. The coroner acknowledged the families' ongoing grief and the inquest was a result of their persistence, the BBC and several other international media reports.
This incident has parallels with other facade fires, and the report aims to understand the fire dynamics and building design. The families have campaigned for justice for decades, and after the recent verdict, many spoke about their relief and the impact on their lives. The Taoiseach and Irish President also addressed the families, recognizing their fight for justice.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald commented on the long-awaited justice, while the Justice Minister called it a "landmark day." The fire claimed the lives of mainly young people, with 38 victims under 21, and left 200 injured. The tragedy has been a significant event in Irish history, leading to ongoing discussions about safety regulations.
Sky News reports that the jury established that the fire started as a result of an electrical fault in an airing cupboard. In the ballroom, foam in the seating, the height of the ceiling in an alcove, and carpet tiles on the wall all contributed to the spread of the fire, the jurors found.
Largest fire in Ireland's history
The Stardust fire was the largest fire disaster in Irish state history. Most victims were from Artane, Coolock, and other parts of north Dublin, with three from Northern Ireland.
Additionally, around 200 people were injured in the fire. Despite the disco being for over 21s, 83% of the patrons were under that age. The inquest revealed that 65 of the victims were aged 14, 15, or 16, and 38 of the 48 victims were under 21.
As RTE.ie reports: For over forty years, survivors and relatives have tirelessly pursued justice for the 48 people who perished in the Stardust fire on Valentine's Day in 1981. The youngest victim was 16 years old, while the oldest was 27. Over 200 others suffered physical injuries, some of which were life-altering.
Longest inquest lasted 122 days and had 373 witnesses
The inquest for the Stardust fire, the longest and largest in the history of the Republic of Ireland, took place at Dublin City Coroner's Court.
Lasting 122 days, it heard testimony from 373 witnesses.
The fire was initially spotted outside the building between 01:20 and 01:40 local time, with police arriving at 01:50. The jury determined that factors such as the nightclub's ceiling height, materials in the bar (including carpet tiles on the wall), lack of visibility, and thick, toxic smoke contributed to the difficulty of evacuation.
They also noted the heat and speed of the fire's spread, failure of emergency lighting, and unpreparedness of staff. Furthermore, emergency exits were found to be locked, chained, or obstructed, hindering victims' ability to escape. The jury concluded that 42 people died on the premises.
Families and survivors expressed relief after the verdict
After Thursday's verdict, many family members spoke following the culmination of a decades-long campaign.
Antionette Keegan, a survivor who lost her two sisters Mary and Martina in the fire, described it as an "overwhelming day" and emphasized that "this day is for the 48."
Lisa Lawlor, who was 17 months old when both her parents died in the fire, expressed her delight with the verdict.
Photo Credit: Butterly Business Park, site of the former Stardust building. Some of the front facade of the original building remains. Photograph from 2010. Wikipedia Commons License.
By Heggyhomolit - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11960792