Stardust: Gardaí begin compiling old case files after unlawful killing verdict
Gardaí have begun to compile old case files about the 1981 Stardust fire tragedy, after an inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing last week.
Taoiseach Simon Harris apologised on behalf of the State to the families of the 48 victims of the Dublin nightclub fire, all aged between 16 and 27, and said the state “failed you when you needed us the most”.
He said he would send a personal letter of apology to each of the Stardust families, that support such as counselling would be put in place, and that the attorney general and relevant ministers would consider the inquest’s outcome.
Asked if the possibility of criminal proceedings was being looked at, gardaí said they were awaiting the coroner’s report in the wake of the inquest.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said on Thursday that they expected to receive the report within two to three weeks.
But he said work had already begun on gathering the “copious” case files and investigation work.
“Well, obviously, together with the State, we would extend our deepest sympathy to the trauma and grief of the survivors and the families of the Stardust tragedy,” Mr Harris told the Policing Authority on Thursday.
“I’ve asked that our National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in effect revisit the two investigation files that had been submitted to the DPP, so that’s already under way.
“Investigations files were submitted in the early 1980s and also in 2016. The file in 2016 was a very, very extensive file and, obviously, there’s still corporate knowledge in the organisation in respect of that investigation.
“I’ve seen the verdict that’s been widely covered in the media, but we do have a memorandum of understanding with the corner.
“The coroner will bring to my attention any issues which she thinks are relevant to An Garda Síochána, but obviously that’s in the context of jury verdict of unlawful killing.
“So we’re at the beginning of the road of examining what’s being done and then the detail of the verdicts, but that means also then the detail of the testimony evidence that was provided throughout the inquest.”
He said he had not received the file from the coroner but expected to in two to three weeks.
“But in effect, the work has commenced already.
“We can do useful work in terms of drawing the copious amount of investigative material that we have already.
“Since 1981, we’ve had a detective inspector in Coolock as a liaison with the families, at times that has has been a very active role and again, there’s documentation that we want to draw from that.”