Courts / Ireland / Report

Witness describes 'mayhem' as Stardust doors closed to stop those who escaped from re-entering

Summary

Linda Bishop, 18 at the time, gave evidence at the Coroner's Court about the Stardust fire. She described how the club's main entrance doors were closed to prevent people who had escaped from re‑entering as crowds tried to flee. Bishop said she and a friend were pushed against a wall as panic spread, and she could hear people inside screaming and banging. She and her friend eventually reached a hallway near the main entrance, where there was no fire, but the lights went out and smoke filled the space, making breathing difficult. Bishop recalled that after they escaped, the doors were closed "wasn't very long at all." She also noted that the West Alcove, where she usually sat, had been closed off for the first time that night, and that a blast of heat from a shop heater was a trigger for her memory of the incident.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness describes 'mayhem' as Stardust doors closed to stop those who escaped from re-entering. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Friday, February 13 1981 Other
• February 13 Other
• April 1981 Other
• 2023-06-23 Publication

Why: Counsel asked the witness if it was "disproportionate" to lock hundreds of people into a building "like a fortress" in order to keep "half a dozen fellas" out. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report