The inquests into the deaths of those who were killed in the 1981 Stardust fire have heard the inhalation of fumes was a significant factor in almost all those who died.
48 people lost their lives a fire that swept through the Artane nightclub on 14 February, 43 years ago.
The hearings into their deaths, which began last April, are continuing to hear from expert forensic pathologists.
Giving evidence are Dr Richard Shepherd, Dr Nat Cary and Dr Ben Swift.
All are based in the UK but are giving evidence in person at the Dublin District Coroner's Court.
The three agreed with Simon Mills, SC, for the coroner, that in almost every case, the inhalation of fumes was a significant factor in their deaths.
Pointing to levels of carbon monoxide found in the victims’ bloods, Dr Nat Cary said: "They would have died pretty rapidly."
The three experts also agreed that alcohol was not a causative factor in any of the deaths.
They all agreed that the levels of oxygen would have dropped significantly during the fire, and the level of carbon dioxide would have increased.
Quoting from an article that was written following a simulation of the fire, Sean Guerin, SC representing families of the dead, said what it showed was that carbon dioxide levels reached 17% around two-and-a-half minutes after the blaze ignited.
The court heard that 12% concentration is enough to immediately cause unconsciousness and death within minutes.
The court also heard that there appeared to a be a time of 90 seconds after the fire ignited where the atmosphere, purely from a gas analysis point of view, would have been tolerable and that after that 90 seconds it would have been immediately hazardous to life.
The experts agreed that the inability to evacuate the premises within three minutes meant those who remained were left in a situation where the atmosphere was immediately hazardous to life.
Identification and injuries
The court also began to hear how the dead were identified and the injuries they sustained.
Michael Barrett, who was 17 when he died, was identified through his dental records. The court heard how he was helping the DJs on the night and was last seen on the stage.
The court heard how he had a carbon monoxide concentration of 50 percent in his blood and had suffered "extensive charring".
Dr Shepherd said it was unable to be determined whether the burns happened before or after death.
Responding to a question from the coroner about the diminution of suffering as result of breathing in fumes, Dr Shepherd said it was likely that had happened.
The court heard how Richard Bennett, also 17, was only formally identified in 2007 through DNA testing.
The inquests were told how he had arrived at the club that night at 11.30pm with friends, his exact location at the time of the fire is unrecorded.
Dr Shepherd said the likely cause of death was rapid incapacitation due to inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
Michael O'Higgins, SC, representing the Bennett family described Richard, the eldest of four children, as mature for his age and a great support to his mother.
Carol Bissett, who was 18, was identified by her father in the days after the fire.
The inquests were told how she had arrived at the club at 11.20pm on the night and was on the dancefloor when the fire became visible. She rushed towards exit 5 and was removed alive from the club and transferred to the ICU in the Mater hospital. She was pronounced dead in hospital 18 February.
Significant burn injuries
The court heard how she had suffered significant burn injuries, and her lungs were badly damaged. She died as result of complications from her burns and the inhalation of fumes, the jury heard.
Dr Shepherd agreed that the absence of consciousness would have eased her pain and distress.
The court also heard how 23-year-old Jimmy Buckley’s remains were identified by his wife by his wedding ring.
He had gone to the club that night with his wife and friends and they were seated in the northern alcove on the night.
Dr Shepherd said the presence of soot meant there had been a significant inhalation of smoke and Mr Buckley had extensive burns. He said it was not possible to assess whether the burn injuries happened before death.
Carbon monoxide
Paula Byrne, who was 19, was identified by dental records.
She had gone to the Stardust that night with two friends at 11pm and they were seated in the north alcove near the main bar. She was on the dancefloor when the fire became visible.
The court was told that the carbon monoxide in her system was at a "very high level".
Michael O’Higgins, representing the Byrne family, described Paula Byrne as a "people person" who came from a close knit family.
The court heard how 17-year-old Caroline Carey was brought to the Richmond Hospital where an attempt at resuscitation was made, but failed. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The court heard how she had gone to the disco that night with her boyfriend and they attempted to exit together after the fire broke out, and made their way into toilets.
Dr Shepherd said she died of rapid incapacitation due to inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
Brenda Campbell, KC, who represents the Careys, told the court how Caroline was four-and-a-half months pregnant at the time and how the family was aware of that and "incredibly supportive" of her. The court was told that she had no traces of alcohol in her blood.
Dr Shepherd agreed that Caroline entering the toilets "for refuge" protected her from the fire but not from the noxious fumes. The court heard there was no evidence of significant burns, and that catastrophic injuries were internal.
The court heard how John Colgan was identified by jewellery by his uncle.
He had gone to the Stardust that night with three friends, arriving around midnight. He was last seen alive heading towards exit 5 after he had gone to get his jacket where his car keys were. He was 21.
The court was told he had suffered extensive burns which demonstrated a significant exposure to heat. The inquests heard that it was very hard to ascertain if that had happened before or after death.
The court was told he died of rapid incapacitation due to inhalation of fire fumes and heat.
A number of families of victims were in court to hear today’s evidence.
Coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane said the evidence would be very difficult for the families to hear.
Dr Shepherd also told the court that there was no evident of natural diseases in any of the 48 victims that contributed to their deaths.
Proceedings continue tomorrow.
