Stardust families to receive State apology next week

An original inquest, in 1981, ruled the fire started because of arson, a theory which was never accepted by the families of victims. That ruling was dismissed in 2009.

Following their 43-year battle for justice – members of the Stardust families said they deserved a formal apology for the way in which the State handled the nightclub disaster.

Speaking after Saturday’s meeting, Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan said Mr Harris called out the names of all the victims and will do so again in the Dáil (lower house of parliament) chamber on Tuesday.

Ms Keegan told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that she found Mr Harris’s actions “very, very positive”, however the families would not accept the apology unless it was “done right”.

“I’m feeling very positive that we’ve been listened to after 43 years,” she said. “The government acknowledges the pain and suffering they’ve put us through.”