Courts / Dublin / Report

Eamon Butterly says locking exit doors was joint policy with doormen

Summary

During the Stardust inquest, manager Eamon Butterly testified that the policy of locking and unlocking exit doors was a joint decision with the doormen, initiated by the head doorman Tom Kennan. Butterly admitted that his evidence to the inquest contradicted statements he had given to the 1981 tribunal, where he claimed he had no role in the decision to lock doors. He said the practice of draping chains over panic bars—creating a "mock‑locked" appearance—had been in place for a long time, while the actual locking of certain doors began only about three weeks before the fire. Butterly maintained that he had not personally operated a door with a padlock and chain, and that responsibility for checking door status lay with the head doorman. He also stated that he had no knowledge of any arrangement to stall inspectors, and that he had not concealed any information from authorities.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eamon Butterly says locking exit doors was joint policy with doormen. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 14, 1981 Other
• February 13 Other
• 2023-09-27 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report