The former manager of the Stardust nightclub has agreed that the management was not fit for purpose at the club in which 48 people lost their lives in the 1981 fire.
Eamon Butterly was giving evidence today at the inquests into the deaths at the Dublin District Coroner's Court.
He was responding to questions from Bernard Condon SC, who is representing ten of the families of the dead.
Referring to the welding of steel plates to toilet windows and the locking of exits doors for a time while people were inside, which he said was illegal, he put it to Mr Butterly that a management that does that is "not a management fit for purpose".
"Do you agree," Mr Condon asked. "I agree," Mr Butterly replied.
Mr Condon said there had been an "extreme response" to "trivial difficulties" at the club.
Earlier, Mr Butterly told the court that he had not received any management training.
"None whatsoever, I was a farmer," he said.
He agreed too that he had no prior experience in the "entertainment trade".
"That’s why we had managers," he said. He also denied suggestions that he was 'tight’ with money.
The court also heard how the disco on the night was meant for over 21s, but that 83% of the patrons were under that age. Mr Condon told the court that 65 of them were aged 14, 15 or 16.
He said Mr Butterly was overseeing the main entrance with his "eagle eyes stuck everywhere".
He put it that the issue was that the doormen were not really that interested in the age of the patrons, they were only interested in "getting the money off the people". He suggested to Mr Butterly that he "didn’t really care what age they were".
"You are completely wrong," Mr Butterly replied, and added the doormen "must have thought they were over 21". He said back then there were no such things as "cards for ages".
Mr Condon also said it was "most egregious" for Mr Butterly to tell gardaí in 1981 that the practice of locking doors was "forced" on him because of the "large number" of people getting in for free.
He put it to Mr Butterly that an easier solution would have been to put a doorman on each of the fire exits. "We didn’t do that," Mr Butterly replied.
This is Eamon Butterly's eighth day giving evidence.
The court was also told that 38 of the 48 victims were under the age of 21.
Later, Mr Butterly agreed that the obligation of complying with planning rests with the applicant and that remains the case even if Dublin Corporation had "never set foot on the premises".
The court also heard how Dublin Corporation carried out 30 inspections of the premises up until February 1981.
Gráinne Larkin, BL, representing Dublin City Council, then known as Dublin Corporation, put it to Eamon Butterly that the "message was clear" that the doorways were to be unobstructed, unlocked and be immediately available in the event of an emergency.
"Yes," replied Mr Butterly.
Mr Butterly also agreed that around the same time he was writing to Dublin Corporation giving them his assurances that all exits would be kept clear when the public were inside, metal sheets were being welded to the windows of the toilets.
He agreed that he needed permission for that and told the court today "I didn't have permission".
Ms Larkin also said that Mr Butterly writing the letter to Dublin Corporation while at the same time still locking the exits up until at least 11.30pm on disco nights "had to be dishonest".
She also said there was legitimate expectation for someone who pays in for an event to get in and to get out
Later, replying to questions from his own solicitor, Dómhnaill O’Scanaill, Mr Butterly said the corporation inspector never raised any issues with him regarding the carpet tiles on the walls.
"Did he ever write to you on the subject?" he was asked.
"Never."
"Did he ever raise the fire rating of the tiles..?"
"Never," replied Mr Butterly
After eight days in the witness box and a total of around 30 hours, Mr Butterly's evidence has now concluded.
