A survivor of the Stardust fire has said Simon Harris 'seems to be' the 'only decent Taoiseach' in the last 43 years.

The first State commemoration ceremony for the victims of the fire 43 years ago took place today at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. 

Mr Harris attended alongside President Michael D Higgins and the survivors and family members of the victims. 

The President laid a wreath in memory of the victims, as did family members of the victims. 

Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan also praised Mr Harris for his State apology and dedication to working with campaigners. 

“In 43 years, he seems to be the only decent Taoiseach,” she said. “Because he has committed himself on a personal note, he has done everything and he has made sure this day was done properly.” 

People at a Stardust ceremony of commemoration at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, in honour of the victims, survivors and those affected by the Stardust fire in Dublin. Picture date: Sunday June 23, 2024.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Harris honoured the survivors and families for their decades-long struggle to reveal the truth of what happened the night of the fire. 

“So many people here today, and many who sadly did not live to see today, never gave up fighting for the memory of their loved ones today,” he said. 

“Finally, your fight sees them properly commemorated by their State in recognition of their terrible loss in a national tragedy.” 

He said campaigners for a national inquiry – which concluded in March – have ensured the victims of the fire “will be remembered by the generations to come”. 

“You have ensured that their names are written in the history books, just as their 48 young faces are etched on our national collective memory.” 

Stardust fire

Some 48 people died in the fire in the Stardust nightclub on February 14th, 1981.  

It took 42 years to secure an inquest into the tragedy after numerous calls were rejected by the State.  

On April 18th, the jurors returned a ruling of unlawful killing for all victims. 

The President will host an event at Áras an Uachtaráin in the autumn for the families of those who lost their lives in the Stardust fire. 

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins lays a wreath during a Stardust ceremony of commemoration at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, in honour of the victims, survivors and those affected by the Stardust fire in Dublin. Picture date: Sunday June 23, 2024.

It’s expected the Government will also announce a redress scheme in the coming days - however, campaigner Selina McDermott says that's not their top priority. 

“It was never about a redress, ever,” she said. “It was about getting the truth and justice out there and vindicating the 48.” 

Ms Keegan noted the work of campaigners and the State is not yet over – as the Department of Education prepares to put the history Stardust into schools’ curriculum and Gardaí request files from the DPP for investigation.