Stardust families gather outside the Coroners Court

The first hearing in the new inquest into the Stardust fire tragedy is underway in Dublin Coroners Court this afternoon.

Prior to it’s commencement the families of the victims of the fire gathered outside the court with pictures of their loved ones.

Forty-eight people died and over 200 were injured in the horrific fire at the Stardust nightclub in Artane on St Valentine’s night in 1981.

Today’s hearing is expected to examine several procedural issues, including logistical elements of what will be one of the biggest inquests ever undertaken in Ireland.

Issues surrounding access to the inquests are also expected to be raised in light of social distancing due to Covid-19.

The Coroner is appealing to anyone who had any involvement in or was a witness to the fire in 1981, and who has not previously come forward to give a statement, to do so now.

The inquest team can be contacted via the Stardust inquest website, or by emailing info@stardustfireinquests.ie.