It stands as one of the most devastating tragedies in the history of the state. Now, a compelling three-part documentary chronicles the harrowing story of the Stardust nightclub fire and the relentless pursuit for justice that followed.
The three-part documentary series Stardust offers a comprehensive and gripping acount of the Stardust nightclub tragedy. It explores the events surrounding the fire, its aftermath, the ensuing investigations and the 43-year fight for justice. The series will be broadcast on RTÉ One over three consecutive nights starting from Sunday, May 12th, 2024, and will also be available on the RTÉ Player.
In the early hours of the 14th February 1981, a fire raged through the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin. 48 people died and more than 200 were injured in the blaze. The deceased were aged between 16 and 28, and most were from the neighbouring suburbs of Artane and Coolock. This catastrophic event wrought devastation upon the lives of those who lost loved ones, as well as those who were injured and all those that survived the harrowing ordeal.
In the wake of the tragedy, questions loomed large. Reports of locked fire doors and obstructed exits sparked outcry and demands for accountability. The subsequent Keane Tribunal, spanning 122 days and hearing from hundreds of witnesses, attempted to unravel the truth. Yet, despite findings of mismanagement, the tribunal's conclusion of deliberate arson left families deeply unhappy.
A Long Campaign
Unsatisfied with the tribunal's verdict, the families embarked on a decades long campaign for truth and justice. It took 27 years and a governmental review in 2008 to challenge the contentious finding of arson. Though the record was officially amended in 2009, no new inquiry was established and the fight for justice continued.
In 2017, the families began a new campaign culminating in a landmark application to the Attorney General Seamus Woulfe for fresh inquests. In September 2019 their perserverance bore fruit and a new inquest was granted.
Forty-two years after the tragedy, the new inquest got underway in April 2023, its aim to try and establish the truth of what happened that night. Believing this was their last chance to get the truth, the families of all 48 victims participated in the inquest, the biggest of its kind in the history of the state.
Stardust is divided into three parts. The first episode focuses on events at the Stardust on the night of the fire. The second part explores the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the desperate search for victims and the governmental response, resulting in the Keane tribunal. The final episode delves into the long-term impact of the tragedy along with the families’ tireless campaign to get justice for their loved ones, culminating with a reflection on the historic jury decision of "unlawful killing" made at the inquest on April 18th 2024.
Intimate interviews
The story is told primarily through intimate interviews with survivors and bereaved families along with the many first responders who were in attendance on the night. The events of the fire are explored in unprecedented detail to illustrate all the elements of the tragedy. Interviews with eyewitnesses, some of whom have never spoken publicly before, form the spine of the series. These firsthand accounts are visualised through archive and reconstruction.
The series is gripping, intense and poignant and will bring the story to a wide audience, many of whom may not be aware of the magnitude of events at the Stardust on Valentine’s Day 1981.
Pen Portraits
At the beginning of the 2023 inquest into the Stardust disaster, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane invited the families of the 48 victims to share a 'pen portrait' of their loved ones with the court. These pen portraits are heartfelt tributes aimed at personalising and humanising the memory of each victim.
Through these portraits we gain intimate insights into the victims' personalities, interests, and aspirations, from their music and fashion choices to their work lives, social circles, and dreams for the future. These snapshots of their essence serve as poignant reminders of the vibrant lives extinguished too soon.
Not only do these pen portraits provide a glimpse into the lives of those that perished but they also shed light on the profound impact their loss had on their families and friends. Beyond the immense grief of losing a loved one, the families have also had to endure the anguish of unanswered questions surrounding the events of that tragic night. For the past 43 years they have fought tirelessly for justice, seeking closure and accountability amidst their grief.
Now, immortalised on film, these pen portraits stand as lasting testaments to the lives cut short on that tragic Valentine's night in 1981. Preserved in the archives, they ensure that the memory of these young souls will endure for future generations.
Watch Stardust - the Documentary starting this Sunday May 12th on RTÉ 1 at 21.30 and on RTÉ Player
Click here to view the Pen Portraits.
