The Stardust Tragedy The Irish Sun
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This 8 part series tells the story from the very beginning up until the current day, with several individual stories of the young victims as they set off for the Valentine’s night disco in the Stardust nightclub in Artane in 1981. The podcast continues with a thorough investigation into the fatal fire, testimonies from survivors, firefighters and first responders on the scene, and the devastating aftermath that followed as families fought for over four decades for justice for their loved ones. The series concludes with Episode 8: Unlawful Killing, which provides expert insight into the final verdict from the Stardust inquests.
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Never giving up | 7
Families spend years fighting for a new inquiry into the disaster but at every turn they hit a brick wall. Finally, something goes their way when the Coffey Report rules out arson at the cause but stops short of ordering a new inquiry, as does the McCartan Report in 2017. But their campaign continues with support from Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan and a trip to the European Parliament for some families as momentum gathers for new inquests.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Wounds Deepen | 6
Offered no counselling or support in the years that followed, survivors and families do what they can to try and cope with the devastating effects of the Stardust. Suicides, depression and addiction grips the community and many who were close to the tragedy. And then a compensation tribunal is set up, which compounds the pain for the families of the 48 dead. The Stardust Victims Committee is set up and loved ones vow that they won’t rest until they see justice.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
'Probably started deliberately' | 5
The Stardust families bury their dead amid heart-breaking scenes, while Taoiseach Charles Haughey appoints eminent judge Ronan Keane to chair a tribunal into the disaster. A rushed inquest wouldn’t look at the cause of the fire and would declare a verdict in line with the medical evidence. And then the Keane Report in June 1982 would rule that one of the patrons inside the Stardust was responsible for the blaze without any evidence and the distraught families are plunged into a new world of despair.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by the Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Not coming home | 4
The reality of the tragedy hits home as families surround loved ones in hospitals, while heartbroken mothers and fathers gather at the city morgue as tragic victims start to be identified using dental records and items of jewellery.
The authorities conduct a heartless identification process, which they want to end on Sunday evening, February 15, but extend it until 5.30pm on Tuesday. Five of the 44 confirmed dead wouldn’t be identified by this deadline and would remain unidentified for 26 years. Four more would die in hospital in the days and weeks that followed.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Getting out was a lottery | 3
First responders tell of the carnage that greeted them when they arrived at the blazing nightclub, and their brave attempts to rescue who they could. By 4am 40 bodies are lined up in the city morgue, while the city’s hospitals become over-run with the injured as medical staff try to cope in the aftermath of the tragedy. Desperate families are woken in the middle of the night and flee to garda stations and sick wards in search of their loved ones.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Valentine's Day | 2
Couples and friends drink and party the night away, revelling in the freedom of being young. As the long-awaited dance competition draws to a close, flames and smoke are spotted in the west alcove at about 1.40am and the nightclub turns into an inferno within minutes. Survivors recount horror tales of desperate attempts to escape through locked emergency exits and vain attempts to search for missing friends as Ireland’s worst fire disaster unfolds around them.
The Stardust Tragedy is brought to you by the Irish Sun. The series is produced by Urban Media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Customer Reviews
Utterly Heartbreaking
I’ve never heard the full story of the Stardust until listening to this podcast. Always known about it through the news all my life. The anger I felt listening to this. My heart is broken that these families were made to suffer all these years to get justice for their children, parents, siblings and friends. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating. I hope the 48 victims and the further victims down throughout the years that died purely of the heartache and stress because of the Stardust tragedy rest in eternal peace. To all the campaigners who tirelessly fought for justice for their families, I can’t even find the words to describe how much I admire you all.
Storytelling
Excellent journalism on an utterly avoidable tragedy. As I’m not from the area of the survivors I sometimes struggle to understand all details but their emotions powerfully convey their message. Recognition is needed for them from those responsible. May they rest in peace.
Heartbreaking.. must listen to this podcast
So personal and beautifully told of such a tragedy. So much respect for the community and families.