Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The interior of the Stardust which went on fire on the morning St. Valentines Day, killing 48 people. Eamon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Gardaí have launched an investigation into the Stardust fire inquiry

The Stardust Victims Committee claim they have new evidence which points to perjury in the 1981 Keane Tribunal.

A GARDA INQUIRY is underway into both 1981 Keane Tribunal into the Stardust fire and the 2009 Coffey Tribunal which reviewed the evidence.

The investigation is based out of Coolock Garda Station but gardaí have refused to provide any further details as to what is being investigated.

The news comes during the week that will mark the 33rd anniversary of the nightclub fire in Artane in Dublin that killed 48 people.

Researcher Geraldine Foy has been working with the Victims Committee for a decade and spokesperson Antoinette Keegan says that the garda investigation has arisen from the work undertaken by Foy.

The Victims Committee say that they have new evidence which demonstrates perjury was committed in the Keane report and the Coffey review.

Fire expert Robin Knox has also been working with the Victims Committee.

Foy herself says that they have set up the Bridget McDermott Stardust fund to pay for a case they intend to take against the Minister of Justice in the European Court of Human rights. They claim that their right to natural justice has been denied.

Families of those who died in the fire have consistently rejected the 1981 conclusion that the fire was caused by probable arson and say that they have new evidence which casts doubt on that result.

But there appears to be a disagreement with the Department of Justice over whether the information they point to constitutes new evidence.

“The Government have failed to produce any evidence to back up their claim the families never presented any new evidence,” argues Foy.

Last week Keegan, who lost her two sisters in the fire, and another campaigner entered Government Buildings and refused to leave for a period of time saying they wanted the Government to explain why there is no new evidence.

Read: Stardust families will release ‘new pages’ from review of evidence >

Read: Stardust campaigners are refusing to leave Government Buildings >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
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.

Close
17 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna O' Toole
    Favourite Donna O' Toole
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:12 PM

    Imagine the torment the families have gone through, just imagine the fear that engulfed those kids before they perished. There will only be peace, when somebody stands up and says YES it was our fault.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoj McGovern
    Favourite Eoj McGovern
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 11:57 AM

    ********Please close off comments….If anything comes of this we don’t want anyone claiming negative/prejudicial comments in the media….let’s hope this will help the families

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Hickey
    Favourite Andrew Hickey
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:17 PM

    If the comments are closed then how will Niall Boylan rile people in an attempt to get listeners.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross McCann
    Favourite Ross McCann
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 1:14 PM

    He’ll just have to get his paid actors to call in letting on they’re welfare cheats or what not

    25
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 4:04 PM

    Who is Niall Boylan??

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross McCann
    Favourite Ross McCann
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 4:17 PM

    He has a night time talk show on 4fm where the riff raff phone in to verbally abuse one another

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 8:14 PM

    Glad I go to bed early so!!!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan McDermott
    Favourite Brendan McDermott
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:22 PM

    Sorry to say Donna I don’t think they will ever get that but what they need is to have the Department of Justice confirm it was not arson and the information in the report was incorrect

    RIP the Stardust 48

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Mullally
    Favourite Shane Mullally
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 2:59 PM

    I can’t believe this inquiry is still dragging on!..this tragedy occurred in 1981 and it’s now 2014 and still no justice for the families,it’s appalling that this has been allowed to drag on forever-please get it done and not wait for all the concerned to pass away without resolution…

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
    Favourite Leslie Alan Rock
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:41 PM

    Brilliant. Come on now guards find something

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:47 PM

    Hopefully there will be justice for the families after all these years.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laela
    Favourite Laela
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 12:29 PM

    Please consider closing off comments in this thread.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IrishSoviet
    Favourite IrishSoviet
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 1:19 PM

    Great to see this being reopened;

    Now for an investigation into the Dublin and monaghan bombings, oh, i forgot, the guards are up to their necks in those bombings so there won’t be an enquiry.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emma Mc Nabola
    Favourite Emma Mc Nabola
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 7:30 PM

    @irish soviet
    Sad little existence u live… Trolling all these articles just to bash the gardai. Grow up and get a job.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Greg Devoy
    Favourite Greg Devoy
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 1:51 PM

    Ps If you are sick of the injustices in this state please keep it too yourself as if you express them on here(even without prejudicing any trials or liabling individuals) be sure YOU WILL BE CENSORED.

    the media in this corrupt state exist purely to set the parameters of what does/doesnt get discussed,,

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Byrne
    Favourite Catherine Byrne
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 2:45 PM

    Hopefully the families will finally get the justice they deserve.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emma Mc Nabola
    Favourite Emma Mc Nabola
    Report
    Feb 11th 2014, 2:42 PM

    @irish soviet

    More conspiracy theories from this lad!!

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds