The Stardust inquests have heard how three teenage victims of the fire were last seen six feet from an emergency exit as they tried to escape the blaze.
The proceedings into the deaths of the 48 people in the 1981 fire continued to hear about the extent of the victims' injuries, their cause of death and the process of identification.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said it was "very difficult" for individual families at this point in the proceedings.
The court heard how 16-year-old Martina Keegan, her sister Mary Keegan, 19, and their friend Mary Kenny, also 19, all died as a result of rapid incapacitation due to the inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
The three had been in the club together that night and the court has heard how they were holding each other’s hands as they tried to escape. They were last seen, on the floor, six feet from exit number 4.
The inquests heard that Martina’s mother identified her daughter’s remains from the jewellery she was wearing, including a ring bearing 'MK’ initials.
The court was told that the remains of her sister, Mary Keegan, were formally identified in the city morgue by a family friend from the silver choker necklace she had been wearing.
Consultant forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd told the court that the presence of "dense soot" in Mary Keegan’s airways showed there was very significant contamination.
The court heard that such was the significance of Mary Kenny’s injuries, she could not be identified by physical appearance and that it was her sister who confirmed her identity by the jewellery she was wearing, including a ring that she had brought her sister a few weeks earlier.
Noting the three teenage friends were last seen on the floor, Seán Guerin SC, representing families of the victims, said: "That’s how close they came to making it safely out."
Later, Dr Richard Shepherd told the court that "time was crucial" in safely getting out of such a fire.
Replying to questions from Brenda Campbell, KC, representing families of the victims, he said: "The longer the exposure the greater the damage, the greater the risk of unconsciousness, the greater the risk of death.
"So time is absolutely crucial in these situations and any obstruction, any slowing down in the exit…is going to cause great problems for people."
"And greater risk of death," said Ms Campbell.
"Absolutely," replied Dr Shepherd.
Dr Shepherd also said the ability to make decisions and to strive to escape would both decline as the toxic gases and lack of oxygen affected the body.
Speed was essential for survival
The court heard that Sandra Lawless, 18, was last seen last seen alive heading towards the side exits in the club. Her remains were confirmed from her belongings and dental records.
Her cause of death was given as rapid incapacitation due to the inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
Dr Shepherd agreed with Bernard Condon, SC, representing the Lawless family that given the environment of the flames and toxic fumes, the longer the delay, the greater risk to life.
Dr Shepherd said speed was essential for survival in such circumstances.
The court also heard how Margaret Kiernan's remains were identified by her father, by an eternity ring she was wearing that belonged to her mother, which he had bought.
She was last seen alive inside the Stardust at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer. Her cause of death was given as inhalation of fire fumes.
The court heard how she had high levels of carbon monoxide in her system and died because she was in a "noxious environment for too long".
The inquest heard too about husband and wife, Franics, 25, and 26-year-old Maureen Lawlor.
The last time they were seen alive was leaving the dancefloor together after the fire became visible.
Their only child Lisa, who was 17 months old at the time and orphaned by the fire, was in court today to hear the evidence about how they died.
The court heard that Francis Lawlor’s remains were identified by family members from the jewellery he had been wearing and from dental records.
His cause of death was given was rapid incapacitation due to the inhalation of fire fumes and heat. The court heard how there was soot found throughout his airways. There was also significant burns due to the exposure of significant quantities of heat.
The inquests heard how Maureen Lawlor’s remains were identified using X-rays and that there had been very significant damage done by the fire.
Her cause of death was also given as rapid incapacitation due to the inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
The court heard how Marie Kennedy, was removed alive from the club, in a very weak condition "just breathing and no more". The 17-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later in hospital after unsuccessful attempts at resuscitation.
Marie Kennedy’s cause of death was given as inhalation of fire fumes. Her remains were identified by her father.
Seamus O’Tuathail, SC representing the Kennedy family, said the loss of Marie was still being profoundly felt.
The court also heard that Marie Kennedy was taken to Jervis St hospital in an ambulance that had returned from that hospital after first leaving the Stardust going to the Mater hospital.
Seamus O’Tuathail asked if that "delay" could have affected her chances of survival.
Dr Richard Shepherd said that there many factors he did not know, including whether Marie Kennedy was "available" for the first trip.
He said, that in the "broadest terms", any delay may well have been detrimental to survival.
