Stardust inquests begin evidence summary on 15 March

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

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane began summarising evidence at the Stardust inquests in Dublin on 15 March 2024, with the jury due to consider its findings after the summary and legal directions.

She told the jury the evidence was extensive, including testimony from 373 witnesses, three forensic pathologists and three fire experts over 95 days of evidence. Her summary began with the venue’s conversion from a former food factory and evidence about its doors, fire insurance and safety practices.

The inquests concerned 48 deaths in a fire at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, in the early hours of 14 February 1981. The reports said the jury’s work was nearing its conclusion, with the coroner’s summary and legal directions to precede deliberations.