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Increase in firefighting capacity probably a direct result of Stardust fire, chief officer tells inquest
Summary
During the Stardust inquest, Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley testified that the increase in Dublin Fire Brigade stations and personnel since 1981 was largely a response to the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire that killed 48 people. He explained that the brigade now collects detailed building information—maps, hydrant locations, high‑risk facilities—from owners before incidents, and that this data is available to crews en route, shortening the "get to work" phase. Keeley noted that the brigade conducts unannounced inspections on about 70% of licence applications each year, visiting premises at least once every two years, and that 80‑90% of inspections are unannounced. He said the Dublin major emergency plan is rarely declared, recalling the 1987 Raglan House explosion as the last instance. Keeley also discussed the impact of the Building Control Act Regulations, the benefits of third‑party sign‑off, and the need for more frequent regulatory reviews.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Increase in firefighting capacity probably a direct result of Stardust fire, chief officer tells inquest. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 2024-02-07 Publication
Why: He explained that the fire brigade seeks information from the owner-occupier of a building such as maps of the building, access and egress points, the location of hydrants or water sources, and any high-risk facilities that may be on site. CNI source report
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