Stardust families meeting Taoiseach

Families of the victims and survivors of the Stardust tragedy are meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris.

The relatives of the 48 young people who died in the blaze that ripped through the nightclub in north Dublin in 1981 have called for an official state apology, which Mr Harris has indicated he is “eager” to be in a position to provide.

On Thursday, an inquest jury returned a verdict that they were all unlawfully killed.

It comes after a previous finding in 1982 that the fire had been started deliberately.

Survivors, family members and supporters hold pictures of those they lost (Brian Lawless/PA)

A majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 1981, was caused by an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was among those killed, said the Government should issue an official state apology, describing it as “the right thing to do”.

The Taoiseach said on Friday: ““I am very keen to meet with the families and very conscious that these families have felt unheard for decades, and I want to make sure that they know that I’m listening, that I want to hear them and, of course, I want to be in a position as Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of this country, but I think the most appropriate thing to do is to meet with them.”

He added: “I am eager to be in a position to apologise to these families but I think it’s right and proper that I meet them first.”

On Saturday, the families walked with a banner remembering their relatives towards Government Buildings.

They were greeted by the Taoiseach who spoke to them in the courtyard and shook their hands before going into the official meeting.

Prior to their engagement with Mr Harris, the families also met Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Taoiseach Simon Harris (red tie bottom right) welcomes the families to Government Buildings in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

She said a full state apology to the Stardust families is “essential”.

Ms McDonald said: “For four decades, they have faced obstacle after obstacle put in front of them by the State.

“That is why it is vital that a State apology is now made and that it address the failures of governments not just 43 years ago in the aftermath of this tragedy but every day since then.

“They had to fight until 2019 to get a second inquest and they had to continue to fight the State every day until the inquest started.

“They had to fight to ensure that the resources were in place so every family could participate in the inquest and get access to justice.

“They have to fight for jurors to have their income protected and to be selected in a transparent way as they would in the court system.

“Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane at the start of the Inquest said the 48 victims who died in the fire would be central to proceedings and she honoured that commitment.

“It is vital that the State now does the same today.”