Courts / Dublin / Report

Challenge to Stardust inquest not ready for hearing

Summary

A High Court judge, Mr Justice Charles Meenan, ruled that a challenge brought by former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly, which seeks to prevent a new inquest from potentially finding unlawful killing, is not yet ready for hearing. The judge noted that pre‑trial exchanges of legal documents and submissions have not yet taken place, and that once these are completed a hearing date will be set. Butterly, who owned the Artane nightclub that burned on 13/14 February 1981, causing 48 deaths and 128 injuries, has applied for judicial review against the coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, and the Minister for Justice. He seeks orders to prohibit the coroner from considering an unlawful‑killing verdict, to quash the coroner's refusal to rule it out, and to declare that such a verdict is not permissible under the Coroners Acts. The coroner and the families of the deceased oppose the application, arguing it is premature.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Challenge to Stardust inquest not ready for hearing. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 13 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2022-05-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report