Courts / Ireland / Report

"He went to the Stardust and never came home" - Further stories from families still grieving nightclub tragedy

Summary

Families who lost loved ones in the Stardust nightclub blaze gathered at the Garden of Rememberance before the inquest. The third day of the inquest took place in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, where pen portraits of the 48 people who died were read. Susan Behan spoke of her brother Johnny Colgan, who was 21 when he died. She described him as a charismatic, upbeat young man who loved football and socialising. She recalled that he had gone to the Stardust and never returned, and that she had seen him the day before the fire. Siobhan Kearney, sister of Liam Dunne, who was 18 when he died, described the week he spent in hospital and his eventual death on 11 March 1981. Alison Keane, sister of Jacqueline Croker, who was 19 when she died, recalled the shock of the news and the impact on her family. The inquest will continue tomorrow with further pen portraits.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "He went to the Stardust and never came home" - Further stories from families still grieving nightclub tragedy. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 1981 Other
• February 14, 1981 Other
• March 11 Other
• March 11, 1981 Other
• 2023-04-27 Publication

Why: Kenny said Johnny got out, but he went back in because he could hear girls crying in the toilets. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report