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Thursday 28 September 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# stardust

Yesterday
27th September 2023
Former Stardust boss 'agreed' with policy to keep exit doors locked for portion of nights
Eamon Butterly told the inquest the policy was the head doorman’s initiative and could not say how much of the policy he was “willing to own”.
This week
24th September 2023 - 28th September 2023
Former Stardust boss denies telling security guard exit doors were locked years before fire
Eamon Butterly also told the inquest he did not find out what surface spread of flame rating meant before carpet tiles were used on the walls of the nightclub.
Last week
17th September 2023 - 23rd September 2023
Former Stardust boss denies 'throwing doorman under the bus' over locking of exit doors
A large number of eyewitness accounts, some graphic, of people attempting to escape the club during the blaze were put to Mr Butterly.
Former Stardust manager gives evidence for the first time at inquests
Eamon Butterly is seen as crucial in determining the events of the night and the circumstances that led to the largest fire disaster in the history of the State.
Stardust waitress 'shocked' by statement quoting her saying exit doors were never chained shut
In response to a question from a member of the coroner’s legal team, Cobbe said: “There were always chains and locks on the doors.”
This month
September 2023
Local resident saw Stardust fire almost half an hour before alarm was raised, inquest hears
Noel Scully said at 1.15am he could see an “orange glow” coming from the direction of the club.
Former Stardust doorman denies he was ‘put up to’ telling gardaí he had opened the exits
Michael Kavanagh gave evidence for the third day at the inquests.
Former Stardust doorman says attempts were made to 'scapegoat' him for doors being locked
Michael Kavanagh also told the inquests today that the practice of locking doors was a “horrible policy”.
Stardust inquest hears former doorman said victims couldn't escape because 'doors were chained'
Michael Kavanagh also admitted that he lied when he initially told gardaí that he had opened the doors of the nightclub.
First firefighter on scene of Stardust fire had 'never seen anything like it', inquest hears
The inquest heard that only one firefighter initially attended the scene.
Doorman admitted front door of Stardust was locked and key removed on night of fatal fire
The inquest into the 1981 fire at the Stardust complex in Artane resumed today following a summer break.
This year
2023
Stardust doorman tells inquest he cannot say if doors were unlocked on the night of the fire
Leo Doyle said he had no idea who came up with the idea of draping chains over the club’s doors to give the impression that they were locked.
Stardust doorman rejects claim that he blamed patrons for not being able to exit nightclub
John Furley said there was “wholesale panic” inside the nightclub on the night of the fire.
Stardust doorman claims witnesses 'wrong' about seeing him kick padlock off exit door
John Furley said he first saw a seat on fire in the nigthclub, followed by a“a wave of smoke” the full width of an alcove coming right across the dancefloor.
Stardust inquest: Barman recalls his efforts to extinguish fire were futile
48 people died in a fire at the venue on the night of 14 February 1981.
Stardust barman gives evidence for the first time of helping to save a girl from the fire
Cormac Rose was 17 when he worked in the Silver Swan bar, which was attached to the Stardust ballroom.
Stardust witness says 'all sorts of tall tales' told about what happened on the night of the fire
Evidence was heard today from workers at the club.
Stardust inquest: Witness heard 'screaming' as main doors were closed to prevent re-entry
Linda Bishop was 18 on the night of the blaze, which killed 48 people in 1981.
Stardust floor manager thought fire was deliberately started so people could 'rob the bars'
Phelim Kinahan gave evidence remotely to the Dublin Coroner’s Court accompanied by a legal advisor.
Stardust witness allegedly heard speaking to person off camera about locked doors
Earlier in the day, Kinahan said that he did not remember the doors being locked.
Stardust floor manager told gardaí he heard Eamon Butterly say: 'The b*st**ds started a fire'
Phelim Kinahan, who worked as a floor manager at the facility, recalled seeing black smoke fill up the hall.
Stardust inquest hears from waitress who was collecting glasses when ceiling began to 'collapse'
Pauline McConalogue, who was 17 at the time, said she’d never had a fire drill while working at the club and didn’t know where the fire exits were.
Stardust doorman tells inquest of putting chains around exit doors to 'trick teenagers'
Francis Kenny, who was 22 at the time, agreed with a barrister that a person would reasonably assume they needed to check another exit because one with a chain was locked.
Witness tells Stardust inquest he used his bike lamp to help find keys to open a locked door
Edward McNamee, who was working in the club on the night of the fire, said he saw flames “creep out along the wall like a mushroom”.
Witness tells Stardust inquest the outside door of club was locked when he went to leave
Lorcan Doody, who was 18 at the time, said there was one bouncer at the door and he said they would have to wait ‘until the man with the key came back’.
First witnesses give evidence on Stardust fire as inquests enter new phase
More than 300 people are expected to give evidence to the inquests.
Stardust inquests hear that 'steel plates' were welded over toilet windows before fatal fire
At today’s sitting, the jury was presented with background facts or “agreed facts”.
Jury told of 'utmost importance' to families and wider public of Stardust inquests
Pen portraits have concluded and the court is now preparing to hear background facts and evidence.
'Treasured memories': Stardust portraits come to a close - but families face a long road ahead
The jury has heard detail of the lives of all 48 people who died in the 1981 fire. The court will soon begin to hear evidence.
'I think a part of all of us died that day': Final pen portraits read to Stardust inquests
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said “there was extreme sadness, of course, but occasional humour, which was equally moving given the loss that has been experienced.
The Stardust Inquests: Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates
We’re bringing you the latest from the inquests as they happen, in a sensitive manner and a careful eye for detail.
Couple tell inquest of feeling guilt after only child skipped wedding to attend Stardust dance
A couple told the jury at the Coroner’s Court inquest into the Stardust fire about their daughter Caroline’s death.
The Stardust Inquests: Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates
We’re bringing you the latest from the inquests as they happen, in a sensitive manner and a careful eye for detail.
'The dead cannot cry out for justice': State has failed families of Stardust victims, inquest hears
48 people lost their lives in the fire at the Stardust Ballroom on February 14, 1981.
Woman whose parents died in the Stardust 'grew up in the shadow of disaster', inquest hears
48 people lost their lives in the fire at the Stardust Ballroom on 14 February, 1981.
Family want to reclaim loved one from 'devastation' of the Stardust, inquest hears
48 people lost their lives in the fire at the Stardust Ballroom on February 14, 1981.
Toddler sat waiting for sister killed in Stardust fire to come home for months, inquest hears
The Stardust tragedy saw 48 young people killed and over 200 people injured.
Christy Moore reads pen portrait of Stardust victim on behalf of family at inquest hearing
The Stardust tragedy saw 48 young people killed and over 200 people injured.
Friend of Stardust victim tells inquest of seeing 'terrible things that nobody should ever see'
The Stardust tragedy saw 48 young people killed and over 200 people injured.
Stardust: One week in, here's what has happened in State's largest ever inquest
A report by
Tadgh McNally
Families of loved ones who died in the fire have spent the week reading pen portraits.