Stardust inquests hear closing submissions as families seek unlawful-killing verdicts

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

Closing submissions in the Stardust inquests concluded on Friday, 8 March 2024, after barristers representing families urged the jury to return verdicts of unlawful killing for the 48 people who died in the 1981 fire. The proceedings will resume the following week, when coroner Dr Myra Cullinane is due to summarise the evidence before the jury deliberates.

The families’ submissions pointed to alleged fire-safety failures including locked or obstructed emergency exits, inadequate staff training and carpet tiles that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Patricia Dillon, representing Dublin Corporation, said the planning permission required plastered walls and that replacing them with carpet tiles required approval, but no application was made. Sean Guerin said expert evidence supported a fire beginning in the hotpress and that there was no evidence of arson in the west alcove.