THE JURY’S VERDICT in the Stardust inquests will be announced at 2pm today. 

It was confirmed yesterday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict. However, the judge deferred the announcement to this afternoon. 

The jury had earlier yesterday said that they could not reach a unanimous verdict, and had instead come to a majority decision.

Yesterday was the eleventh day the seven women and five men had been deliberating.

The inquests into the deaths of 48 people after a fire at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, began in April last year and have heard evidence from 373 people.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 1981.

The inquests, which are the longest held in Ireland, have been sitting for almost a year.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he “stands ready” to engage with the families of those who died in the fire once the outcome of the inquests is announced. 

“I’m extremely conscious of the fact that this must be an extraordinarily difficult and emotional day for all of the families involved, people who have sought justice, answers and truth for such a long period of time,” he said.

When asked if there was anything the Government could do following the verdicts, Harris said: “Let’s have [the verdict] first, out of respect to the families and their long-standing campaign for truth and justice.”

Includes reporting by Jane Moore and Press Association