Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I express my deepest sympathy to the families of the Stardust victims. The pain and loss they have endured is unimaginable. I acknowledge the unwavering determination and dedication displayed by the families in their pursuit of truth and justice. Their resilience in the face of adversity is truly commendable. It is important to recognise that the journey to this point has been long and arduous for the victims and their families. It is my sincere hope this acknowledgement brings some measure of solace to those affected by this tragedy.

The Stardust fire disaster is one of the greatest injustices in our country's history. It is a story of relentless pursuit of truth, profound commitment to justice, and a heartbreaking tragedy. The inquests into the disaster were the longest ever held in Ireland, after the families fought a lengthy legal battle. These inquests contrasted starkly with the original one held in 1982, which lasted only five days and focused merely on the medical cause of deaths rather then on the circumstances leading to the fire.

The fire that occurred at the nightclub complex in Artane in Dublin led to an inquiry, the Keane tribunal in 1982. The tribunal's conclusion that the fire was probably caused deliberately was strongly opposed by the Stardust families. This conclusion was deeply cynical and strange and allowed the nightclub owners to claim compensation from Dublin Corporation, adding insult to injury. The tribunal of inquiry that convened within three weeks of the fire found that the probable cause was arson. This outraged the families who said it smeared the dead and allowed the nightclub manager, Eamon Butterly, to claim £580,000 in compensation for malicious damage. This infuriated survivors and relatives of the dead who saw it as victim blaming.

The coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, has acknowledged the families' persistence in obtaining the fresh inquests. She hopes the families took some solace from the fact these fresh inquests were held, that the facts surrounding the deaths were examined in detail, and that the families felt fully involved in the proceedings. The inquests findings were a result of tireless campaigning by the families with no thanks to any government. Last Thursday represented a day of vindication.

In 2009, the Dáil overturned the arson findings but this was only a partial victory for the families. They needed the full facts about what happened on that fateful Valentine's Day to be brought to light. Now the truth has been revealed. The fire started due to an electrical fault and was first seen between 1.20 a.m. and 1.40 a.m. The jury found that the foam used in the seats, the use of carpet tiles and the height of the ceilings contributed to the spread of the blaze. The lack of visibility due to black smoke, the toxicity of the gases, the heat of the smoke, the failure of emergency lighting and the fact that emergency exits were locked, chained or obstructed prevented escape and contributed to the death toll.

The families, who have been persistent in overcoming the obstacles placed before them, deserve today's State apology. It is disgraceful how this disaster was quickly swept under the rug, particularly when those left behind were still in shock. Last week, the truth about the events of Valentine's night in 1981 came to light. The inquest jury found that 48 young people were unlawfully killed after an electrical fault started a fire in the Stardust nightclub. The fire killed 48 people aged 16 to 27, injured 214 and left questions over how it started and why it claimed so many victims. As the families are aware, previous efforts, including a tribunal of inquiry, a victim compensation tribunal and two legislatively appointed reviews, were rushed or botched, reflecting official indifference to working-class communities. Successive governments over four decades failed the families and the victims. It is a day of honour but also a day of deep sadness, hurt and regret. We must think in particular of those whose passing means this conclusion comes to late for them.

If the State's apology to the Stardust families and the victims is based on a moral code as opposed to empty political rhetoric, the Taoiseach should on behalf of this State meet the Whiddy Island families as a matter of urgency. During that meeting, he must deliver the news that fresh inquests have been ordered by his Attorney General as these families seek justice for the fireball explosion that claimed the lives of 50 innocent people off Bantry in 1979. The State must also urgently review the manner in which inquests are being conducted in the State and the verdicts available to juries. The Stardust tragedy was one of the darkest moments in our history. It was a heart-breaking tragedy because of the lives that were lost, the families that were changed forever and the long-drawn-out struggle for justice that followed. Their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability and their profound commitment to justice, in the face of overwhelming challenges and setbacks, was not only a fight for their loved ones but a campaign to ensure that such a disaster never happens again. It is time for the State to step up and make amends.

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