Courts / Dublin / Report

Mother of Stardust victim asked for daughter 'with dying breath', inquest hears

Summary

The inquest into the Stardust Ballroom fire heard that Margaret Kiernan, who died in the blaze on 14 February 1981, asked for her daughter with her dying breath when she passed away aged 92 in summer 2022. Margaret was remembered as a kind, sensitive soul who loved family, sports and socialising. Her brothers Jimmy and John spoke of her sense of humour, love of music and desire for a happy life. They described the night of the fire as breaking their family, with their parents becoming inconsolable and suicidal. Jimmy recalled Margaret's wide circle of friends and her encouragement of John's future wife. John noted that after 41 years the family still seeks justice, believing the case would have been solved if it had occurred in a more affluent area.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother of Stardust victim asked for daughter 'with dying breath', inquest hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 14, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 14, 2022 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2023-05-09 Publication

Why: He said before the fire, Sandra had given Brian 65 pence to buy a Valentine's card for his "imaginary girlfriend" and that his brother still treasures those coins today because he never got to use them. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report