Stardust survivors and victims' families will meet with the Department of Justice today. 

They've been invited to meet the Justice Minister and department officials to discuss the effects of their decades-long campaign and what changes could be made for the future.

In particular, they will have the opportunity to discuss reforms to the Coroner service.

The Stardust fire happened at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin in 1981 and took the lives of 48 people, making it Ireland’s deadliest fire.

Discussions

Stardust survivor and campaigner Antoinette Keegan told Newstalk it will be a tough day, but one that comes with a chance to make a difference.

“The meeting will include a discussion with officials from the department regarding the reform of the coroner service with Minister McEntee," she said.

“She's launching this consultation process in relation to the coroner service.

“The department wants to hear the views of the families in relation to the inquests that lasted almost over a year in relation to the 48 victims that were killed.”

The inquest into the tragedy concluded in April when a jury returned verdicts of ‘unlawful killing’ for all victims.

Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters Mary and Martina, pictured after the 'unlawful killing' verdict was given at their inquest. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Keegan said the process was much more thorough than initial investigations of the tragedy.

“This time round was a lot better than like what we had in 1982,” she said.

“The inquest was literally two minutes in there, you just got the medical verdict, where this inquest actually went into great detail with the pathologist and experts there.

“It's probably one of the most high-profile inquests ever because like it went into great detail and we did get that verdict then from the jury.”

Victims of the fire ranged in age from 16 to 27 and all died from smoke inhalation, fire fumes and burns.

Reporting from Teena Gates. 

Main image: A memorial for victims of the Stardust fire. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo