Families of Stardust victims and survivors gather to mark 41st anniversary of fire

Victims’ families and survivors of the Stardust fire gathered yesterday afternoon for a vigil at the site where the nightclub once stood in Artane on the eve of the 41^st anniversary of the disaster.

On February 14, 1981, 48 young people were killed and more than 200 injured, when a fire broke out inside the nightclub during a Valentine’s Day disco.

Those present yesterday called for a new inquest to begin without delay and for any remaining obstacles to inquests into the deaths to be removed.

A fresh Stardust inquest is due to commence at the Rotunda Round Room.

They were joined by former RTÉ reporter Charlie Bird, who was one of the first journalists on the scene that night, and singer Christy Moore who performed his song ‘They Never Came Home’ at the vigil.

Procession from St Joseph Artisan Church to the Stardust Memorial

Vincent Gorman, Antoinette Keegan, chairwoman of the Stardust Victims’ Committee and Adam Keegan

Following a mass for the 48 young people who lost their lives at 11.30am in St Joseph’s the Artisan Church in Coolock, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Stardust Memorial Park.

The vigil then moved to the site of the former Stardust nightclub on the Kilmore Road where families who lost loved ones lit candles in their memory.

A 48-second silence, one second for each of the victims of the fire, was held before Dublin Fire Brigade signalled the end of the silence with a siren.

Maurice McHugh, who lost his only daughter Caroline, addressed the crowd.

“I’m going to light this candle,” he said

“And with this flame, may the light provide us with truth and justice.

“That’s what we’ll have in the future.

“Very, very soon.”