Taoiseach Simon Harris has announced he will apologise to Stardust victims on behalf of the State next Tuesday. 

The Taoiseach today met with the family members and loved ones of the 48 people who died in the fire in the Dublin nightclub on February 14th, 1981. 

He said it was a “humbling and emotional meeting”. 

“I have listened closely to everything the families told me and as Taoiseach, I have today apologised unreservedly to each family,” he said. 

“I will do so on behalf of the State on Tuesday next.” 

Stardust victims' families walking into Government Buildings with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

He thanked every person who attended the meeting that he had both group and private conversations with. 

“More than 70 people came to the Department of the Taoiseach today,” he said. 

“However, I am acutely aware that the numbers affected by Stardust is many, many multiples of that.

“That includes those injured, the people working in Stardust, the frontline workers who fought to save lives on the night.  

“It includes survivors, the fire crews, the ambulance staff, the gardaí, the army, the taxi drivers and the communities across Ireland who have carried this tragedy with them for 43 years.” 

Stardust inquiry

The jurors in the Stardust inquest ruled on Thursday all 48 victims had been “unlawfully killed” in the 1981 fire. 

The young people aged between 16 and 27 all died from smoke inhalation, fire fumes and burns. 

The jury said the fire started in the hot press in the dispense bar and was due to an electrical fault. 

Stardust survivor and campaigner Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters in the fire, told Newstalk earlier today Thursday’s ruling was a “momentous day”. 

“We waited so long – for 43 years,” she said. 

“43 years telling the truth to various ministers and Taoiseachs over the years.  

“I was called a liar, everyone called me a liar: ‘That wasn’t true, it wasn’t in the case files’.  

“They were young people, they went there for a night and their life was cut short in the blink of an eye – they were killed.” 

Mary Lou McDonald with Stardust victims' family members outside Government Buildings. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also met the victims’ families today before their meeting with Mr Harris. 

“The families have told me very clearly they do not want tea and sympathy,” she said. 

“What they want are specific acknowledgements of the horror, the trauma, that they have been through.”