Stardust inquest hears forensic evidence on fire deaths

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

Forensic pathologist Richard Shepherd gave evidence at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on 9 January 2024 during the Stardust inquest into the 1981 Artane nightclub fire.

Shepherd said inadequate records of where victims were recovered meant experts could not meaningfully assess how the fire or its fumes affected individuals. A plan showed body positions but did not link them to specific people.

He also said some 1981 examination reports contained little beyond basic facts, while State Pathologist John Harbison’s examinations were full and relevant. Shepherd described the quality of the examinations as variable.

His review of photographs showed mortuary facilities were overwhelmed, with some victims placed beneath tables, he told the inquest. The coroner said the jury would make separate findings on each person’s identity, date, place and cause of death.