Stardust

Read more news and analysis on the Stardust nightclub fire that killed 48 people on Valentine's Day 1981 in Artane, Dublin.

Stardust inquests witness stood down after claim he let management ‘off the hook’

Stardust inquests witness stood down after claim he let management ‘off the hook’

Former doorman at nightclub at time of February 1981 tragedy was ‘blaming the patrons for not being able to get out’, counsel for some of the families suggest

By Kitty HollandThu Jul 06 2023 - 20:35

Doorman at Stardust agrees statements given to gardaí after fire provided an ‘incomplete’ picture

Doorman at Stardust agrees statements given to gardaí after fire provided an ‘incomplete’ picture

John Furley, who was 23 at the time of the disaster, said his statements describing his efforts to open one of the six emergency exits, did not convey the rising panic at the door

By Kitty HollandWed Jul 05 2023 - 15:58

Stardust doorman had impression others would be involved in formulation of Garda statements, inquests told

Stardust doorman had impression others would be involved in formulation of Garda statements, inquests told

John Furley had ‘worked it out’ that emergency exits were being locked until late as midnight on disco nights

By Kitty HollandTue Jul 04 2023 - 19:23

No ‘panic, action or control’ when Stardust fire broke out, barman tells inquests

No ‘panic, action or control’ when Stardust fire broke out, barman tells inquests

Colm O’Toole, who was 22 at the time, said he tried to extinguish flames and urged people to leave

By Kitty HollandFri Jun 30 2023 - 18:52

‘No plan’ to evacuate 800 people in Stardust nightclub, barman tells inquests

‘No plan’ to evacuate 800 people in Stardust nightclub, barman tells inquests

Only ‘discussion’ of emergencies focused primarily on armed robbery, Cormac Rose said

By Kitty HollandThu Jun 29 2023 - 18:37

Stardust inquests hear of ‘distressing’ failed efforts to save victims during fire chaos

Stardust inquests hear of ‘distressing’ failed efforts to save victims during fire chaos

Testimony from two witnesses suggested fire was present in the roof-space before people were aware of it inside

By Kitty HollandWed Jun 28 2023 - 18:16

Stardust waitress knew how to open door but ‘it would not budge’, inquests hear

Stardust waitress knew how to open door but ‘it would not budge’, inquests hear

Further evidence told of unsuccessful efforts to sneak in to nightclub by opening same door wrapped in chains

By Kitty HollandTue Jun 27 2023 - 18:27

‘It was just the policy’ - Stardust inquests hear first evidence of locked exits in significant week for hearings

‘It was just the policy’ - Stardust inquests hear first evidence of locked exits in significant week for hearings

Coroner’s court hears testimony of locked doors and a policy of draping chains over doors to make them seem locked at Dublin ballroom where 48 young people lost their lives in a Valentine’s Day disco

By Kitty HollandFri Jun 23 2023 - 16:30

Stardust inquests: Witness says she could hear people screaming after exit doors were shut

Stardust inquests: Witness says she could hear people screaming after exit doors were shut

Woman who escaped blaze that claimed 48 lives describes how doors were closed to prevent people from re-entering to try to reach loved-ones

By Kitty HollandFri Jun 23 2023 - 15:01

Stardust inquests: ‘The smoke started coming in under the door. I could hear the fire crackling outside’

Stardust inquests: ‘The smoke started coming in under the door. I could hear the fire crackling outside’

Former DJ at north Dublin venue describes events in the early hours of February 14th, 1981

By Kitty HollandThu Jun 22 2023 - 19:09

Stardust nightclub had ‘policy’ of locking exits, inquests told

Stardust nightclub had ‘policy’ of locking exits, inquests told

Venue’s head of security says doors were locked to stop people entering without paying

By Kitty HollandWed Jun 21 2023 - 21:17

Stardust inquests told that chains draped over emergency exits at discos was ‘common practice’ to ‘fool’ people

Stardust inquests told that chains draped over emergency exits at discos was ‘common practice’ to ‘fool’ people

Head of security at the Stardust nightclub Pheilim Kinahan agreed the practice was ‘designed to look as if it was locked’

By Kitty HollandTue Jun 20 2023 - 19:47

Stardust owner believed premises was ‘fireproof’ and had been ‘deliberately burned’

Stardust owner believed premises was ‘fireproof’ and had been ‘deliberately burned’

Inquests hear evidence from Patrick Butterly, now dead, that Dublin Corporation should have ‘said what to do’

By Kitty HollandFri Jun 16 2023 - 18:01

Stardust ‘policy’ to loop chains over emergency exits to make them look locked, inquest hears

Stardust ‘policy’ to loop chains over emergency exits to make them look locked, inquest hears

Doorman Francis Kenny told inquests the practice ‘created catastrophic outcomes’

By Kitty HollandThu Jun 15 2023 - 17:01

Draughtsman who drew up Stardust renovation plans had not read fire standards, inquests hear

Draughtsman who drew up Stardust renovation plans had not read fire standards, inquests hear

Harold Gardner, now dead, gave evidence in 1981 that ‘fire department knew’ what was being recommended

By Kitty HollandWed Jun 14 2023 - 16:18

Witness of Stardust fire describes speed with which it spread at inquests

Witness of Stardust fire describes speed with which it spread at inquests

‘From the time I left the ballroom and got into the foyer, the smoke had taken over and there was panic. That’s as quickly as it happened... You’re talking two or three minutes,’ says Dermot O’Neill

By Kitty HollandTue Jun 13 2023 - 19:14

Stardust inquest: Former salesman takes ‘great offence’ at suggestion fire safety of carpet tiles was low priority

Stardust inquest: Former salesman takes ‘great offence’ at suggestion fire safety of carpet tiles was low priority

Declan Conway tells counsel for 10 of the bereaved families that he sourced carpet tiles from UK company Illingsworth to line walls of nightclub

By Kitty HollandFri Jun 09 2023 - 20:03

Stardust inquests: Emergency exits found locked several times before nightclub fire

Stardust inquests: Emergency exits found locked several times before nightclub fire

Testimony from electrical inspector read into record at inquests into the deaths of 48 people in 1981 fire

By Kitty HollandThu Jun 08 2023 - 18:41

Stardust ‘melting ceiling’ probably caused by polystyrene insulation, not ceiling tiles

Stardust ‘melting ceiling’ probably caused by polystyrene insulation, not ceiling tiles

Inquest into fire in February 1981 heard from sales rep for firm that supplied fire-resistant boards to nightclub

By Kitty HollandWed Jun 07 2023 - 21:09

Stardust: over 80 new witnesses found in trawl of documents at Department of Housing, inquest told

Stardust: over 80 new witnesses found in trawl of documents at Department of Housing, inquest told

Des Fahy, acting for a number of the 45 families bereaved by the 1981 disaster, said his legal team was ‘concerned’ by the volume of previously unknown material, and the time at which it had come to light

By Kitty HollandThu May 25 2023 - 14:43

Steel plates, bars welded to Stardust club toilet windows ‘for security’ six weeks before fire

Steel plates, bars welded to Stardust club toilet windows ‘for security’ six weeks before fire

There had been seven inspections of the venue between July 1979 and January 1981, by a Dublin Corporation staff member

By Kitty HollandWed May 24 2023 - 16:39

Stardust: A month of emotional testimony highlights how many families were destroyed

Stardust: A month of emotional testimony highlights how many families were destroyed

‘Two things in life change you as a person and you are never the same. They are love. And grief,’ Stardust inquest told

Sun May 21 2023 - 09:35

Inside the many working-class, northside Dublin families whose lives were destroyed by the Stardust

Inside the many working-class, northside Dublin families whose lives were destroyed by the Stardust

Over the past month portraits of the 48 young people who died have elicited laughter, smiles and many tears; and descriptions of the impact on parents have been ineffably sad

By Kitty HollandSat May 20 2023 - 05:00

Stardust disaster: ‘They were not just numbers or victims, they had dreams and lives to look forward to’

Stardust disaster: ‘They were not just numbers or victims, they had dreams and lives to look forward to’

‘Pen portraits’ section of inquests draws to a close at Dublin Coroner’s Court, ending a sometimes harrowing but also emotionally uplifting phase of evidence

By Kitty HollandFri May 19 2023 - 05:00

Murtagh ‘Murty’ Kavanagh (27), Coolock - ‘He was caring and generous, ready to help no matter what’

Murtagh ‘Murty’ Kavanagh (27), Coolock - ‘He was caring and generous, ready to help no matter what’

Read by his sister Terry Jones

By Kitty HollandThu May 18 2023 - 15:53

Margaret Thornton (19), Dublin 1 - ‘She was the baby of the family, we all doted on her’

Margaret Thornton (19), Dublin 1 - ‘She was the baby of the family, we all doted on her’

Read by her sister Patricia Greene

By Kitty HollandThu May 18 2023 - 14:44

John Stout (18), Coolock - ‘He would have been a painter-decorator with a career and a life of his own’

John Stout (18), Coolock - ‘He would have been a painter-decorator with a career and a life of his own’

Read by his niece Alison Forrester

By Kitty HollandThu May 18 2023 - 14:05

Brendan O’Meara (23), Coolock: ‘I can’t remember my own brother’s funeral’

Brendan O’Meara (23), Coolock: ‘I can’t remember my own brother’s funeral’

Read by niece Suzann O’Meara on behalf of his brother Jimmy O’Meara

By Kitty HollandThu May 18 2023 - 12:02

George O’Connor (17), Coolock: ‘He was much adored by me ... and also by our younger siblings’

George O’Connor (17), Coolock: ‘He was much adored by me ... and also by our younger siblings’

Read by his sister, Donna O’Connor

By Kitty HollandWed May 17 2023 - 15:59

Kathleen Muldoon (19), Kells, Co Meath: ‘She loved looking after and caring for people’

Kathleen Muldoon (19), Kells, Co Meath: ‘She loved looking after and caring for people’

Read by her brother, Hugh Muldoon

By Kitty HollandWed May 17 2023 - 15:22

David Morton (19), Artane - ‘I looked up to him and wanted to be as cool as he was’

David Morton (19), Artane - ‘I looked up to him and wanted to be as cool as he was’

Read by his brother Alan

By Kitty HollandWed May 17 2023 - 14:37

Jim Millar (20), Belfast: ‘He was engaged to be married to a lovely girl...He was so happy’

Jim Millar (20), Belfast: ‘He was engaged to be married to a lovely girl...He was so happy’

Read by his sister, Laura Millar

By Kitty HollandTue May 16 2023 - 13:10

Caroline McHugh (17), Artane: ‘A day never goes by without us thinking of our beautiful daughter’

Caroline McHugh (17), Artane: ‘A day never goes by without us thinking of our beautiful daughter’

Read by her parents Phyllis and Maurice McHugh

By Kitty HollandTue May 16 2023 - 12:37

Gerard McGrath (21), Coolock – ‘A talented and dapper young man’

Gerard McGrath (21), Coolock – ‘A talented and dapper young man’

Read by Gay McKeon on behalf of his late sister-in-law Liz McKeon, Gerard’s sister

By Kitty HollandFri May 12 2023 - 16:18

Julie McDonnell (20), Coolock – ‘She was fun, loving, happy, smiling, helpful, caring and thoughtful’

Julie McDonnell (20), Coolock – ‘She was fun, loving, happy, smiling, helpful, caring and thoughtful’

Read by her niece Pamela

By Kitty HollandFri May 12 2023 - 13:05

Teresa McDonnell (16), Coolock – ‘She was a beautiful girl who loved life and tried to enjoy every moment’

Teresa McDonnell (16), Coolock – ‘She was a beautiful girl who loved life and tried to enjoy every moment’

Read by her brother Richard and sister Lorraine Sorohan

By Kitty HollandFri May 12 2023 - 12:55

Stardust: ‘I am the mother of William McDermott, Marcella and George who I loved very much’

Stardust: ‘I am the mother of William McDermott, Marcella and George who I loved very much’

Brigid McDermott (86) told the inquest about losing three of her children in the February 1981 nightclub fire

By Kitty HollandThu May 11 2023 - 17:59

Marcella McDermott (16), Raheny – ‘Music was a big part of her life ... she never stopped dancing’

Marcella McDermott (16), Raheny – ‘Music was a big part of her life ... she never stopped dancing’

Read by her sister Selina

By Kitty HollandThu May 11 2023 - 17:00

William McDermott (22), Raheny - ‘He was the big brother who protected us all’

William McDermott (22), Raheny - ‘He was the big brother who protected us all’

Read by his sister Louise

By Kitty HollandThu May 11 2023 - 16:51

George McDermott (18), Raheny - ‘He was so funny, one of the nicest people you could meet’

George McDermott (18), Raheny - ‘He was so funny, one of the nicest people you could meet’

Read by his sister June

By Kitty HollandThu May 11 2023 - 16:29

Helena Mangan (22), Coolock – ‘Before my mammy left that night, she gave me a big kiss and hug’

Helena Mangan (22), Coolock – ‘Before my mammy left that night, she gave me a big kiss and hug’

Read by her daughter Samantha Curran

By Kitty HollandThu May 11 2023 - 12:39

Eamonn Loughman (18), Beaumont - ‘He looked after me, played ball with me. He gave me crossers on his racer’

Eamonn Loughman (18), Beaumont - ‘He looked after me, played ball with me. He gave me crossers on his racer’

Read by his cousin Carol, on behalf of his family

By Kitty HollandWed May 10 2023 - 17:34

Paul Wade (17), Artane – ‘He was the most outgoing and the one with the most friends’

Paul Wade (17), Artane – ‘He was the most outgoing and the one with the most friends’

Read by his nephew Emmet on behalf of his brother Tony

By Kitty HollandWed May 10 2023 - 17:34

Paula Lewis (19), Coolock - ‘Our big sister, my mother’s right-hand woman and my dad’s pride and joy’

Paula Lewis (19), Coolock - ‘Our big sister, my mother’s right-hand woman and my dad’s pride and joy’

Read by her brother John

By Kitty HollandWed May 10 2023 - 16:46

Donna Mahon (17), Edenmore - ‘She loved her life, loved her role in the shop and loved all the people who came in’

Donna Mahon (17), Edenmore - ‘She loved her life, loved her role in the shop and loved all the people who came in’

Read by her sister Theresa Fitzpatrick

By Kitty HollandWed May 10 2023 - 14:18

Francis and Maureen Lawlor (25 & 23), Finglas: ‘I have no memories of my parents, only utter devastation’

Francis and Maureen Lawlor (25 & 23), Finglas: ‘I have no memories of my parents, only utter devastation’

Read by daughter Lisa Lawlor

By Nathan JohnsTue May 09 2023 - 17:48

Margaret Kiernan (18), Coolock: ‘The night of the Stardust fire was the night that broke our family’

Margaret Kiernan (18), Coolock: ‘The night of the Stardust fire was the night that broke our family’

Read by friend, Deirdre James, on behalf of Margaret’s brothers, Jimmy and John

By Nathan JohnsTue May 09 2023 - 15:27

Sandra Lawless (18), Coolock - ‘She was like the family bodyguard’

Sandra Lawless (18), Coolock - ‘She was like the family bodyguard’

Read by her brother Brendan Lawless

By Nathan JohnsTue May 09 2023 - 12:30

Mary Kenny (19), Coolock - ‘She was very happy going out the door that night’

Mary Kenny (19), Coolock - ‘She was very happy going out the door that night’

Read by her sister Angela

By Kitty HollandFri May 05 2023 - 14:34

Marie Kennedy (17), Kilbarrack – ‘Her love of music and dancing was the reason she was in the Stardust on that night’

Marie Kennedy (17), Kilbarrack – ‘Her love of music and dancing was the reason she was in the Stardust on that night’

Read by her sister Michelle

By Kitty HollandFri May 05 2023 - 12:34

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