Sinn Féin party leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD and Senator Lynn Boylan have implored Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD to ensure her office secures an alternative venue for the Stardust Inquest “without delay”, writes Rose Barrett.
The 42nd anniversary of the tragedy will occur on Valentine’s Day this year, a tragedy that claimed 48 lives with several hundred survivors injured as fire engulfed the Stardust Nightclub in Artane (1981).
Senator Boylan, who has supported the families in their campaign for a new inquest, stated:
“This is the third occasion in the last eight months that the Department of Justice has actively failed to meet its responsibilities to the families of the Stardust victims.
“For 40 years, these families have had to battle against systemic abuse in their campaign for justice. The Department has known since October that the lease for inquests to be held in the RDS would expire in February, yet here we are in mid-January and still no venue has been secured!”
With the backing of SF party leader, Senator Boylan said it was simply unbelievable that the government had failed to plan ahead and secure an appropriate alternative venue.
“The lack of certainty that the inquest will be able to proceed on schedule is yet another cruel blow to the families. There can be absolutely no delays to the inquest hearings; securing a human rights-compliant venue for the Stardust inquests needs to happen before the end of the month.”
She concluded: “The families have waited long enough.”
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