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Stardust victim identifiable only by monogrammed belt, inquest hears
Summary
The inquest into the 1981 Stardust Ballroom fire, which killed 48 people, heard that a father suffered fast‑onset dementia after the unresolved grief of not seeing his son's body, which could only be identified by a monogrammed belt. The fire began in the early hours of 14 February 1981 at the Stardust premises in Artane. Portraits of the victims are being presented to the Dublin District Coroner's Court. Patricia Dunne gave a detailed portrait of her late brother Brian Hobbs, who had studied at Rockwell Hotel and Catering College, worked in Zurich, and returned home with a leather belt bearing the initial 'B'. Brian was identified at the morgue by the belt. Patricia's father was diagnosed with dementia after Brian's death. The inquest also heard a portrait of 24‑year‑old Eugene 'Hughie' Hogan, who died in the fire; he was identified by his belt and tattoo.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Stardust victim identifiable only by monogrammed belt, inquest hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 14, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 18, 1977 Other
- February 15, 1981 Other
- February 13 Other
- 2023-05-03 Publication
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