The families of the Stardust victims recently met with the Minister for Justice to discuss reforming how inquests are conducted. One of the proposed changes includes holding these hearings in less formal settings than a traditional courtroom, creating a more comfortable environment for families. Antoinette Keegan, a survivor of the 1981 fire, described the emotional meeting and how the families shared their ideas for future inquests, aiming to update the coroner’s court.
The Minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to establish a redress scheme for relatives and survivors, addressing the families’ concerns. The inquests into the tragic incident concluded with a verdict of unlawful killing, highlighting safety failures in the nightclub. Today, the families received copies of the findings from Dr Myra Cullinane, who presided over the proceedings.
The day was described as “another chapter in the Stardust” by Paul Morgan, a family member of one of the victims. Minister McEntee’s consultation process on the coroner service has initiated calls for broader reforms in how inquests are conducted, following the successful changes implemented for the Stardust hearings in 2022.