Stardust Park arson outrage

THE sister of two victims of the Stardust tragedy has condemned as

“sick and disgraceful

? an incident of arson in a park dedicated to the memory of those who died in the nightclub fire.

The popular playground in the Stardust Memorial Park was torched just before Christmas.

The arson attack took place just weeks before the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy which claimed the lives of 48 young victims in the early hours of February 14, 1981.

Antoinette Keegan, spokes-person for the Stardust Victims’ Committee, said those responsible for the fire

“desecrated

? the park.

“I think it’s more than insensitive and disgraceful that someone did this to the playground, especially given what the park symbolises,

? Ms Keegan told Northside People.

“My mother and many other relatives of those killed in the fire fought tooth and nail for that park to be built in memory of the victims.

“It’s there to remind people of the terrible tragedy and the innocent lives lost as a result of the devastating fire.

“I find it quite unbelievable that whoever started the fire in playground didn’t know the history of the Stardust.

“The whole community knows the significance of the park. Maybe whoever did this just didn’t think or care.

?

Ms Keegan, whose two sisters Mary and Martina died in the fire, said it was all the harder to stomach considering that the anniversary of the tragedy is less than five weeks away.

“There was very little in the area before the park was developed and it’s a wonderful facility to have,

? she added.

“I would have taken my grandchild there on many an occasion but now most of the playground’s equipment has been destroyed – and for what?

?

Local councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) also condemned the wanton vandalism.

“It’s ironic that this facility for families and their children was abused at this special time of the year when children should have been able to enjoy the benefits of the playground,

? he said.

“How moronic and insensitive is it to fire damage part of a memorial park that is dedicated to the victims of the Stardust fire?

?

Cllr O’Toole said he would be raising the matter with Dublin City Council’s Parks Department and local gardaí at the next joint policing committee meeting.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Dublin City Council confirmed that fire damage caused by arson occurred in the playground over the Christmas/New Year period.

“Dublin City Council has reported this to the gardai,

? the spokesperson told Northside People.

“The damage is currently being assessed and the playground has been closed.

?

The Stardust Park was officially opened in 1993 and contains a specially created memorial in memory of the victims of the Stardust fire.