Stardust - 40 Years Later
This weekend will see the 40th anniversary of the Stardust fire which killed 48 people and injured 214.
More than 800 young people, mainly from the Artane and Coolock areas of Dublin, were at the disco for a Valentine’s Night dance competition.
Despite two inquiries, no one has ever been held responsible.
In 2019, fresh inquests were called into the events of the fire, with hopes that the families might get the answers they’ve been searching for for four decades. Proceedings are due to begin this year.
Earlier this week, Kieran went to the site of the fire to meet with three families.
The facade of the front of the building remains the same, though other buildings have cropped up all around it in the intervening years. There’s a plaque listing the names of the 48 at the back of the building, where they perished.
In this special feature, you’ll hear from three families
Antoinette Keegan who was at the disco with her two sisters, Mary and Martina - both of whom died.
Lorraine and Suzanne, the two younger Keegan sisters who vividly remember the events of that night.
Maurice and Phillis McHugh who lost their only child, Caroline
And Samantha Mangan, who was just four years old when her mother Helena died in the fire that night
Kieran started by asking Antoinette what she remembers about the lead up to the disco, and the terrifying experience inside the building when the fire took hold - and we should say some of what you’re about to hear might be upsetting.
Video by Rory Walsh.
Пікірлер: 12
The worst part must've been knowing the Fire Brigade was outside but they couldn't get to you quick enough, nothing can ever be quick enough in such a situation, the fire has left families scarred for life aswell as survivors and firefighters traumatised for life and still our shite government can't serve justice and lift the blanket of absolute sadness and anger off of these families.
Absolutely heartbreaking for those poor families
Heartbreaking 💔
I remember it well.. I lived just around the corner. Rip
Thinking of all who perished in that awful fire. Around this exact time now 1.50am the fire started.
Terrible Tragedy. 🙏🙏
The second parents 💔💔
I can’t get past the stage when a barman seen liquid drop from ceiling and felt great heat ',, That statement alone should’ve been enough for justice. . Personally , I’d have loved to get to know Antoinette & her friends & her sisters of course back then cos they’re very warm hearted People And I’d have had great craic with them . I love my own family but I’d have loved to be part of theirs ', With all those fun loving sisters of theirs , who wouldn’t . When the victims And the entire families took a payment , that they wouldn’t be able to Take them butterly ,s to the high courts . Surely then ,, every one Must’ve copped on That It was a bribe to protect the butterly Family ,, the truth is there as plain as the nose on your face , They’re protecting the butterly Family Cos I think Eamon butterly & Charlie haughty Were best friends & in times of Trouble , they protect each other. They’ve Successfully covered it up for so long , that you can’t believe It’s a wonder , well if it’s any consolation .. it’s The butterly Family And their children who now have to Live With This Awful legacy , I rest my case . The butterly family had their Backs well covered & scratched . You all have plenty of friends and people Power & This Will all give you. The Happy ending You all truly Deserve ', I wish you All Every great fortune and very good luck , now & forevermore. , The entire Country are right behind You All. & please Take care of yourselves .
If it was our side of the city they still would have covered it up I'm a survivor of the abusive children's homes and the home I was in is still operating so whichever side of the city they cover it up either way I'm still denied justice
Always digs at the other side of the city its the same there Lorraine if you had not accepted the redress board you could have taken legal action against the butterlys and they wouldn't have been able to use it against those of us from the children's homes so its not just your own lives you ruined never give up your court rights
Friday the 13th has nothing to do with it they knew the place wasn't safe and they still went