Stardust survivor describes panic as fire spread

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

Stardust survivor Paul Byrne described panic and thick black smoke as he gave evidence by video link at the inquests on 23 November 2023.

Mr Byrne said the ceiling was dripping like hot tar, the nightclub was pitch black and people were falling over each other. He said he could hear people screaming. Forty-eight people died in the 1981 fire in Artane, Dublin, including his friend Brian Hobbs.

He said a door would not open when he first reached it. He described a chain and lock on the doors but could not say for definite whether it was locked. He said fire exits had been locked on previous occasions when he tried to let friends in without paying.

Separately, gardaí said they were investigating a serious assault on Parnell Square East shortly after 1.30pm on 23 November. They said five people, including three children, had been taken to hospital and the scene remained sealed for a technical examination.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.