Courts / Dublin / Report

'Common knowledge' that Stardust doors kept locked, doorman told gardai

Summary

During the Stardust inquest, doorman John Furley, then 23, said he was told by senior staff that exit doors should remain locked, but he had not received any direct instruction. He described youths attempting to force open exit 5, which was partially blocked by a skip of empty bottles; after the skip was moved the door opened fully. Only 20‑30 people escaped through that door, while many others tried to exit through other dark, unlit exits. Furley noted that exit 1 and 6 were always chained and pad‑locked and that he had never opened them. He also recalled a prior incident where a door had been nailed shut while the disco was still running. The inquest heard that the Stardust had operated for three years before the February 13 fire, and that Furley had helped evacuate the Lantern Rooms after the blaze was noticed. The hearing continues tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Common knowledge' that Stardust doors kept locked, doorman told gardai. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 13 Other
• 2023-07-04 Publication

Why: He said many others walked by open exit it as they tried to escape because it was so dark they could not see it. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report