Richard Bennett’s Stardust death remembered at inquest

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

Richard Bennett, 17, died in the Stardust Ballroom fire in Artane on 14 February 1981. His pen portrait was read at the Dublin District Coroner’s Court inquest on 3 May 2023.

Singer Christy Moore read the tribute, written by Bennett’s mother, Helen Shiels, and sister Elaine. It recalled his work supporting his family and his role as a father figure to his younger siblings.

The report said the family searched hospitals and the city morgue for weeks before a body presumed to be Richard’s was found. His mother said he was among those whose identities were initially unknown.

The inquest was continuing.