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    Wednesday, September 11

    Families of people who died in a nightclub fire 43 years ago finally receive justice

    By United Kingdom 5 Mins Read
    – 202404PRI 191807900 54bb
    Family members of some of the victims of the Stardust disaster outside the Coroner's Court at the RDS, Dublin, ahead of the start of the fifth pre-inquest hearing into the blaze at the Dublin nightclub over twenty years ago. Picture date: Wednesday July 28, 2021. PA Photo. The inquest into the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane in Dublin's Northside on Valentine's Day in 1981, in which 48 young people died begun today following a renewed campaign by families and survivors. See PA story IRISH Stardust. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

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    A jury has declared that the deaths in the Stardust Fire inquests were unlawful killings for all 48 individuals who lost their lives in the tragic 1981 Dublin nightclub incident.

    Some family members reacted to the verdict with applause and tears, while others embraced each other upon hearing ‘unlawful killing’ from the jury foreman.

    Upon hearing the jury’s announcement of ‘unlawful killing,’ some individuals hugged each other.

    More than 800 people were at the nightclub when a fire broke out, and they had difficulty escaping due to windows and doors being blocked.

    File photo dated 14/2/1981 of police stand outside the main entrance of a fire-blackened Stardust Disco in Artane, Dublin, where in the early hours 48 youngsters perished in a fire. A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned by the jury of the Stardust Fire inquests for all 48 people who died in the 1981 Dublin nightclub disaster. Issue date: Thursday April 18, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Stardust. Photo credit should read: Tony Harris/PA Wire
    A jury declared the deaths in the 1981 Dublin nightclub disaster to be unlawful killings (Picture: Tony Harris/PA Wire)

    An additional 214 people were hurt in the fire and the chaos that followed, and a few individuals who attended the nightclub later took their own lives.

    Under the guidance of then-attorney general Seamus Woulfe, these inquests have been the lengthiest in Ireland, having started a year ago.

    The jury informed coroner Myra Cullinane on Wednesday that majority verdicts were reached after 11 days of deliberation.

    The jury cited factors such as poor visibility due to smoke, lack of knowledge of the building layout, toxic smoke or gases, fire heat, failure of emergency lighting, lack of staff readiness, and rapid fire spread as hindrances to escape.

    The jury confirmed that some of the deceased were impeded in their ability to exit due to locked, chained or otherwise obstructed exits.

    The jury also confirmed that this was a contributory factor in some of the deaths.

    The coroner postponed the delivery of the verdicts until Thursday so that family members could gather at Dublin District Coroner’s Court to hear the outcome.

    Family members of some of the victims of the Stardust disaster outside the Coroner's Court at the RDS, Dublin, ahead of the start of the fifth pre-inquest hearing into the blaze at the Dublin nightclub over twenty years ago. Picture date: Wednesday July 28, 2021. PA Photo. The inquest into the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane in Dublin's Northside on Valentine's Day in 1981, in which 48 young people died begun today following a renewed campaign by families and survivors. See PA story IRISH Stardust. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
    Family members of some of the victims assembled outside the Coroner’s Court at the RDS, Dublin, prior to the verdict (Picture: PA)

    During a speech in Brussels on Thursday morning, Irish premier Simon Harris stated: ‘I’m extremely aware of the fact that this must be an incredibly difficult and emotional day for all of the families involved, individuals who have sought justice, answers and truth for such a long time.

    ‘As Taoiseach, I certainly stand ready to interact and engage with those families.’

    During Leaders’ Questions in the Irish parliament at noon, Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty expressed their sympathy for the families of those who perished in the Stardust club.

    ‘As we all know, they have waited four decades for answers about what happened to their loved ones, and they faced numerous obstacles, including those created by this state,’ Mr Doherty said.