Stardust inquest hears evidence of bodies burnt beyond recognition

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The Stardust inquest heard evidence from former firefighters at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on 7 December 2023, including accounts of bodies burnt beyond recognition.

Noel Keegan said he found six to eight blackened bodies piled in the toilets, another body burnt outside them and a body still on fire near exit six.

Firefighter John Lehane said he saw a chain and padlock on a door, and counted 16 bodies outside near two or three exits. He considered rapid fire spread a possible explanation for the number of casualties near those exits.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane described the accounts as difficult details for the families of the 48 people who died in the 1981 fire. The inquest was due to continue on 8 December 2023.