Thomas Vennard recounts Stardust fire response at inquest

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

Former garda sergeant Thomas Vennard described the 1981 Stardust fire response at Dublin District Coroner’s Court, reported on 8 December 2023. He said a colleague at the scene asked for all available ambulances; when Vennard asked how many were needed, the reply was “whatever you can get”.

Vennard said he had been working at Coolock Garda Station and was not at the nightclub that night. He recalled the incident as an unprecedented major fire for those involved.

The inquest also heard evidence from Bernard McMahon, who said he was assigned to preserve the scene after the fire was extinguished. He described seeing Eamon Butterly and Brian Peel at the Silver Swan foyer between 4am and 6am, and said he had previously objected to people remaining on the premises.

McMahon said he had earlier seen fire exit doors secured with chains and discussed padlocks with Peel. Asked whether the doors were kept locked during functions, McMahon said he understood that to be the policy.