Government plan to commemorate Stardust fire tragedy under way

Government plans are under way to commemorate the Stardust fire tragedy, with counselling services for families part of ongoing discussions.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin met some family members of those who died in the 1981 fire.

He spoke about plans to remember the victims, including a commemoration event.

It comes after Taoiseach Simon Harris apologised to the families of the 48 victims of the Dublin nightclub fire, all aged between 16 and 27, and said the state “failed you when you needed us the most”.

After more than 40 years of the victims’ families campaigning for justice, last month an inquest found that the 48 young people had been unlawfully killed.

Survivor Antoinette Keegan, whose sisters Mary and Martina died in the fire, said the Tanaiste apologised to the families during their meeting on Wednesday.

“He (Mr Martin) also apologised for not being in the Dail on the day of the state apology,” Ms Keegan told PA news agency.

“We told him it shouldn’t have taken 43 years to get the apology.

“We were told a number of things during the meeting, including that the gardai are doing a cold case review on the Stardust. They (gardai) have requested a file from the DPP and are looking at it at the moment.

“Mr Martin also spoke about counselling for all families who want it. It’s being put in place and they are working on a commemoration day.

“The Department of Education contacted me last week and they are working on including Stardust in the curriculum for the history books.

“The Tanaiste also spoke down about a redress scheme. It was emphasised to him that it has to be scrutinised really carefully because back in 1981, there were people that claimed they were in the Stardust that wasn’t there.

“Anyone that does put in a claim will have to have medical background, insofar as for hospital they attended and what doctor they attended and what doctors are still attending.

“It was a very positive meeting.

“We also said we wanted the memorial wall to be updated to include the unlawful killing and the Tanaiste said he will take the cost into consideration.

“It was successful and constructive.”

Maurice McHugh, whose only child Caroline, 17, died in the fire, also met the Tanaiste.

“The Tanaiste personally apologised to us and it was a long chat,” he said.

“Stardust will never go away. We are still grieving for our loved ones and all the families are the same. He took it all on board.

“There is so much information there for the gardai as the inquest has told the whole story.

“We were treated very, very poorly by the governments at the time. They left us.

“Today was a good meeting. We hope it doesn’t take another 43 years to get to the next stage.”

Ms Keegan’s brother Damien Keegan, who was three when the fire happened, said the tragedy has consumed his life.

“He has offered us counselling but counselling won’t work for me. I explained how it has affected me and counselling won’t fix me,” he said.

“It was a positive meeting but we will see how it goes. I take each day as it comes now. All I have ever known is the Stardust.

“The emotions are still raw for me. When I was growing up I got an awful hate for my mother as my sister Lorraine became my ma when the fire happened. I thought she had neglected me. Then when my ma passed away I felt guilty.

“They (the Government) created that as they never helped us. If we got counselling when we needed it, it might have helped.

“It’s positive they are meeting families and wanting to discuss it but they have to follow up on it and they need to bring complete closure for everyone.”

A spokesman for the Tanaiste said the meeting was “positive and constructive”.