The 1981 Stardust Fire victims are “coming home” after yesterday’s verdict.
That’s according to Louise McDermott whose mother Bridget McDermott lost three children in the fire which killed 48 people.
Yesterday, a jury found all victims were ‘unlawfully’ killed and the fire started because of an electrical fault in the hot press.
On Newstalk Breakfast today, Louise said she doesn’t know how her mother “is still with us – but she is”.
“She was here today to get the unlawful killing [verdict] for her three children,” she said.
“It’s a very emotional day for all the families here, all of us for 43 years have had to fight, but we shouldn’t have had to do that – it should have been sorted a long time ago.
“We would like to say to the 48 now, that we’re taking you out of the flames, the darkness, and the smoke of the Stardust, and we’re bringing you back to the sunshine, the light, and the music – you’re coming back home to us.”
'This day is for the 48'
Today, jurors in the Stardust Inquest returned verdicts of ‘unlawful killing’ for each of the 48 young people who died in the nightclub on Valentine's Day in 1981. pic.twitter.com/NdwOMRGMTK
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 18, 2024
Samantha Mangan, who lost her mother Helena Mangan to the fire, said she “was only four years of age when she died”.
“She went out one night to have fun with her boyfriend John Stout, who also died that night and never came home,” she said.
“I’ve had to, for the last 43 years, wonder why and what happened to my mam that night.
“Today we got justice for her, we got truth and the truth is out there now – we all know what happened that night.
“I have spent the last 137 days in court every day so I know the truth and I know what happened to my mother - justice has been served.”
Pictured outside the Stardust Inquest holding portraits of victims (left to right): Susan Behan with portrait of John Colgan (21); Alison Keane with portrait of Jacqueline Croker (18); and Siobhan Kearney with portrait of Liam Dunne (18), 17-4-23. Image: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.iePat Dunne lost her brother Brian Hobbs in the fire.
“Brian was the youngest, our baby, and I was the second eldest - so I was like his mam,” she said.
“At 77, I’m glad I’m here today to see justice for Brian Hobbs.
“Brian was 'number 29' for years, which was disgraceful, but he’s now Brian Hobbs which is important to me.”
Supporters and family members of the 48 people killed gather in Dublin's Garden of Remembrance after the verdict of unlawful killing from the Stardust Inquest, 18-4-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieAlison Keane feels “vindicated” to have gotten to the truth about her sister Jacqueline Croker’s death.
“We’ve got the truth, we’ve got the justice and now I think it’s time that the Irish state actually apologised to each and every one of us for the systematic abuse we’ve been put through, having to relive this ordeal over and over again,” she said.
“To Dr Cullinane, to the jury, to our legal team, and to everyone that’s standing here with us today – I’d like to say thank you for giving my sister back her identity."
Reporting by Barry Whyte.
You can listen back here:
