Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has said the gathering of 48,000 signatures calling for a new inquest into the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire is highly significant and highlights once again the continued public support for the families and loved ones of the 48 who died that Valentine’s night.

The Sinn Féin TD was speaking after he raised the issue with the Minister for Justice and said he believes that the opening of a fresh inquest into the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire is the only way to ensure the families and loved ones of those who died that night will get closure.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Dubliners of my generation will never forget Valentine’s night in 1981 and the young people who died in the Stardust nightclub fire.

“Young Dubliners were robbed of their innocence by the events that night. 48 innocents died with many, many more victims scarred and left with burns, lifelong reminders of the fire that swept through the nightclub.

“The Stardust fire changed a generation, destroyed families, and left an anger and resentment that bubbles away 37 years later.

“No can deny that the original 1982 inquest into the fire was deeply flawed. Since then there has been an inquiry and two reviews which have called into question that account and version of events on the night in question.

“Thankfully, in recent years new evidence and witness testimony has come to light and that evidence must be examined. The 48,000 signatures to the Stardust postcard campaign highlights the continued public support for the families and their long campaign for justice.

“We have seen from the North of Ireland and from Britain how fresh inquests some decades later can assist in bringing closure and justice to families who have painstakingly waited for the truth to emerge about what exactly happened to their loved ones. The Hillsborough disaster is just one example.

“The Stardust families have waited far too long for the truth to emerge about the fire and the events surrounding that night.

“It is way past the time to do the right thing and I fully support the postcard campaign and the call for a new inquest into the 1981 Stardust fire.”

ENDS