A momentous day.
Several of my posts have been on the subject of the Stardust Tragedy of 1981 – you can find these in the Search bar to the left. The last of these posts signalled the beginning of what will be the final, long-delayed inquest. It is worth repeating here what one of the relatives of the killings (yes we can say that now) had to say – “Marie has been lost in the smoke and devastation of the Stardust for too long. The decades-long fight for answers has taken far too much from us already. So today we are taking her back and remembering her life. We are reclaiming her from the darkness and despair and bringing her back into the sunlight where she belongs.”
Today the jury returned a verdict. The choices were, in respect of each of the 48:
- Accidental death
- Misadventure
- Unlawful killing
- Open verdict
- Narrative verdict
The verdict was, by a majority in each case, Unlawful Killing. At last, after 43 years during which time the Irish State prolonged matters as far as they could, the tenacity of the survivors and their families have the best justice available to them.
Back On The Rock 
And so what follows from this verdict? Is the nightclub owner now accountable? Will he be required to return his compensation, at the very least? So much heartbreak. Thanks for keeping this in the light, Roy.
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Thanks Jane. There might be consequences but for those most affected I think it’s now laid to rest. It’s been a long and stressful road for them.
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I can’t even begin to imagine.
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This was such a tragedy. I find it just horrific that it took 43 years to reach this finding. When I saw your post this morning I read as much as I could about this incident. So very sad but now at least the families have that touch of justice xxx
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Thanks Dianne. It’s a wretched, shameful episode which exposes the Irish State (again) as unfit for purpose. The families deserve so much credit for refusing to buckle under and for forcing this genuine inquiry which uncovered the facts of the matter.
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I saw this on the news Roy, it’s been a long time coming – why do we always have to wait so long for these things.
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Because those who have the power in Ireland prefer to let sleeping dogs lie rather than have uncomfortable truths exposed. More credit to the families who kept campaigning over so many years until that position was untenable.
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Justice has no time. We all wish it could be a lot quicker though. Thanks for educating us all on this, Roy.
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Indeed – thanks Pam.
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At last – something the families who fought so long… here’s wishing them peace.
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Indeed Marie, thank you. All those many politicians fobbing off the families down the years ought to be ashamed of themselves.
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