Courts / Dublin / Report

Inquest jury hears Stardust victim would have 'mercifully' lost conciousness

Summary

An inquest jury in Dublin has begun hearing evidence on the deaths of the 48 victims of the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane explained that the jury's role is to determine each victim's date, place and cause of death. Pathologists Dr Richard Shepherd, Dr Nat Carey and Dr Benjamin Swift presented post‑mortem, toxicology and photographic evidence. They confirmed that high levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and heat were present in many victims, and that inhalation of fire fumes and heat caused rapid incapacitation and death. The evidence was presented alphabetically, starting with 17‑year‑old Michael Barrett, who had 50% carbon monoxide in his blood, and included other victims such as 17‑year‑old Richard Bennett, 18‑year‑old Carol Bissett, 23‑year‑old Jimmy Buckley, 19‑year‑old Paula Byrne, 17‑year‑old Caroline Carey and 21‑year‑old John Colgan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Inquest jury hears Stardust victim would have 'mercifully' lost conciousness. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 18, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-01-10 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report