Courts / Dublin / Report

Stardust families 'have waited longer than Moses in the desert without justice', barrister tells jury

Summary

During the Stardust Inquest, barristers argued that the families of the 48 victims had endured prolonged injustice, likening their wait to Moses wandering in the desert. Brenda Campbell KC highlighted that carpet tiles on the Stardust's walls were unsuitable and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and that Dublin Corporation had known of a year‑long enforcement gap that allowed unsafe conditions to persist. She cited earlier electrical inspector concerns about doors and emergency procedures, noting that the doors were locked, chained and obstructed, which prevented escape. Bernard Condon SC and Sean Guerin also stressed that the carpet tiles, faulty doors, lack of staff training and low ceiling height were substantial causes of the deaths. The coroner announced she would summarise the evidence and advise the jury on the relevant law.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Stardust families 'have waited longer than Moses in the desert without justice', barrister tells jury. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 5, 1979 Other
• 1980 and 1981 Other
• 2024-03-08 Publication

Why: Ms Campbell said the jury had already heard evidence of people "breaking windows with their bare hands to gulp oxygen and a young woman putting her head into a toilet because the windows at the venue did not give any ventilation". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report