Courts / Dublin / Report
'Suspended in Time': The Stardust long read
Summary
The Stardust fire of 1981, which claimed the lives of 48 young people, was the subject of a lengthy inquest that examined the events leading up to the tragedy. Survivors and witnesses described the chaos and confusion as the fire broke out, with many trapped by locked exit doors and unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames. The inquest revealed that the Stardust nightclub had serious fire safety issues, including locked exits, inadequate fire training for staff, and the use of highly flammable materials. Survivors recounted the horror of the fire, with some describing the intense heat, the collapse of the ceiling, and the suffocating smoke. The inquest also heard evidence about the practice of 'mock locking' exit doors, which gave the appearance of being locked when they were not. This practice, along with the failure to follow fire safety regulations, was a major factor in the high death toll.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Suspended in Time': The Stardust long read. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6, 1978 Other
- February 13 Other
- April 2023 Other
- January 1978 Other
- September 4, 1980 Other
- November 24, 1980 Other
- January 15, 1981 Other
- July 1980 Other
- August 1980 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 1981 Other
- 26th January Other
- December 1980 Incident
- February 1981 Other
- February 16 Other
- Monday, February 16 Other
- February 19 Incident
- February 27, 1981 Other
- February 18 Other
- February 20 Other
- June 1983 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 14 Other
- March 1978 Other
- 1977 and 1978 Other
- 1979 and 1981 Other
- 1961 to 1997 Other
- New Year Incident
- 2024-04-18 Publication
Why: But the man behind the shop counter had teased Monica because the card had the word 'Girlfriend' on it. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- St Anne's Park
- Tara Street
- Maryfield Drive
- Rotunda Hospital
- Beaumont Hospital
- Michael O'Toole's house
Topics
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