Michelle Murray agreed tall tales circulated about Stardust fire

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michelle Murray agreed at the Stardust inquest on 27 June 2023 that “all sorts of tall tales” circulated about the 1981 fire.

Murray, who worked part time in the Lantern Rooms, said an unidentified man told her he had seen someone slit a shutter and pour paraffin over it. She did not know him, and he did not say when he saw the act or identify who was responsible.

Caroline Maher described seeing the fire spread from a seat towards the ceiling. She said she first thought the flame could be contained, but it spread quickly.

The report also recounted testimony from supervisor Mairead Brady and former waitress Belinda Pearse about the fire and their efforts to leave the building.