Pressure mounts for new Stardust inquiry

PRESSURE is mounting on the Government to hold a new inquiry into the 1981 Stardust fire tragedy.

However, last week Minister for Justice Alan Shatter ruled out a new inquiry after claims by the Stardust Victims’ Committee that it had uncovered fresh evidence into the cause of the fire, which called 48 young people.

Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind), who met with the committee, said new evidence has emerged and he has vowed to strongly support the families in their quest for justice.

“We need to hear the truth and the facts,

? stated Deputy McGrath.

Local councillor Larry O’ Toole (SF) facilitated a meeting last Wednesday between the Stardust victims’ families and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald TD in the Dáil.

“We met with members of the Stardust families and their legal advisor to discuss how we can lend our support to the demand for a new inquiry into the tragic fire,

? said Cllr O’Toole.

“Sinn Féin is totally committed to supporting the Stardust families in the quest for justice.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (Ind) also supported the Stardust Victims’ Committee’s calls for a new investigation.

“Relatives of the victims are still seeking answers into the tragedy,

? said Deputy Flanagan.

“People deserve to know what exactly caused the fire and a new investigation may uncover findings that shed some light on what happened that night.

“Many of my constituents continue to live with the pain of losing their loved ones in the fire.

“This pain is made worse by the fact that it has never been established what exactly took place that night to start the blaze.

?

Deputy Flanagan added:

“I have put a question to Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, to ask if he would consider re-opening a new investigation into the tragedy.

?

Local councillor Declan Flanagan (FG) also vowed to support the families.

“It is only right that a new investigation takes place to consider all of the evidence that is available,

? he said.

Paul Coffey SC was appointed in 2008 by the then Government, with the agreement of the Stardust Victims’ Committee, to review the case made by the committee for a new inquiry into the fire.

Speaking on behalf of Minister Shatter, Junior Minister Dinny McGinley said:

“The committee argued the original Tribunal was flawed and that it had new evidence concerning the fire, evidence which supported an alternative explanation for its cause.

“Mr Coffey publicly invited submissions from all interested parties and the committee gave extensive oral evidence and made written submissions as to their case for a new inquiry.

“Mr Coffey’s report was published in January 2009. He concluded that the original Tribunal finding of arson was a hypothetical one only and that no one present on the night can be held responsible.

“He further concluded that in the absence of any identified evidence as to the cause of the fire, the most another inquiry could achieve would be another set of hypothetical findings, which would not be in the public interest.

?

Minister McGinley said Minister Shatter has the greatest sympathy for all those affected by the fire, and

“understands of course that those involved in the committee remain convinced that their explanation for what happened on the night is in fact what did occur

?.

“Nothing he (Minister Shatter) has seen in the extensive correspondence to date, however, would be grounds for his taking a different view to the conclusions set out in Mr Coffey’s findings and endorsed in both Houses,

? he added.

The Stardust Victims’ Committee, which is disputing findings in the Coffey Report, said it would publish its new evidence on February 14, the 33rd anniversary of the fire.

Minister McGinley said Minister Shatter was aware of this development.

“Whether at that time, or at any other point, the Minister will, of course, arrange for the examination as appropriate of any such submission, and for a response to issue to the committee in due course,

? he added.

Meanwhile, Antoinette Keegan, a member of the Stardust Victims’ Committee, and a survivor of the fire, ruled out any chance that she would contest the local elections in May as an Independent candidate.

At the height of the committee’s struggle to get a new inquiry into the fire, Ms Keegan came close to contesting the Dublin North Central constituency in the 2007 General Election but ultimately withdrew from the race.

“I would not be interested in contesting the local elections,

? she told Northside People.

“I wouldn’t have the time as I am focusing all my energy on trying to get a new inquiry.

?

Ms Keegan vowed that the fight for a new inquiry will continue.

l The Stardust Victims’ Committee is holding a meeting on Friday, January 31 at 11am at the Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra, and all families of the victims are invited to attend.