Courts / Ireland / Report

Jurors in Stardust inquest 'very close' to reaching verdict

Summary

During the tenth day of deliberations on the Stardust inquest, the jury told Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane they were "very close" to a verdict and were finalising wording. The coroner clarified that the jury must answer time questions precisely, or give a range if evidence is uncertain, and explained the two‑stage test for unlawful killing: a failure of very high degree that is a substantial cause of death, proven beyond reasonable doubt. She emphasised that no verdict is automatic and that the jury may return unlawful killing only if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of at least one such failure. The jury also asked about applying unlawful killing to each death when multiple failures were involved; the coroner confirmed each death could be judged separately if the test is met. The jury, after about 40 hours of deliberation, was discharged before 4 pm and will resume tomorrow. The inquest covers 48 deaths from the 1981 fire at the Stardust.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jurors in Stardust inquest 'very close' to reaching verdict. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2024-04-16 Publication

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report