RTÉ accused of "undermining" Stardust Tribunal in 1981

The State papers, released under the 30-year rule, also show that the owners of the Stardust asked the Government to pay their legal fees for appearing at a tribunal of inquiry into the tragedy.

THE NEWLY-RELEASED 1981 State papers show that a senior advisor to the then-Taoiseach Charles Haughey accused RTÉ of undermining the Stardust Tribunal.

The advisor said they did this by airing an in-depth report into the dancehall tragedy, the State papers reveal.

The report was to be aired on the Today Tonight programme two days after the disaster, which took place on Valentine’s night in Artane.

The papers also show that the family who owned the Stardust, the Butterlys, asked the government to pay for their costs of appearing at a tribunal of inquiry into the tragedy.

The government said it would not pay the fees, as it would be “inappropriate”.

Read: Archives show Bobby Sands “offered to end hunger strike”>

In pictures: State papers reveal new details about hunger strikes and Stardust>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More