The coroner at the Stardust inquests is continuing her summary of the evidence to the jury recalling witness accounts of how quickly the fire spread and the effects the smoke and fumes had on those inside the burning building.
The proceedings, which have been running for almost a year, are now in its final stages with the jury set to retire in the coming days and deliberate on a verdict.
The coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, summarised the evidence of patrons who survived the disaster and who have given testimony to these hearings at the Dublin District Coroner's Court.
Forty-eight people died when a fire swept through the Artane nightclub in the early hours of St Valentine’s Day 1981.
The jury heard that the disco was an over-21s event, but that 83% of those that were there were under that age, with the majority of patrons telling the inquests that they were not required to provide evidence of their age on the night.
The coroner also told the jury how a number of witnesses had described smelling burning earlier in the night, prior to the fire being first spotted inside the club and how one witness felt it "suddenly" get warm around ten minutes before she was alerted to the fire.
She reminded the jury that a number of witnesses had looked at their watches when they first saw the fire and said it was 1.40am.
Dr Cullinane also told the jury they had heard how many patrons did not realise the seriousness of the situation initially and that some had stood and watched the fire, while others remained in their seats or went to retrieve their coats.
There was also evidence, she said, of how some people kept dancing as others made their escape.
The coroner said all the patrons who gave evidence agreed that the fire spread rapidly and took over the building suddenly, with one witness said the pace of the fire "caught everybody".
The court heard how one witness said the heat was so intense, her dress stuck to her.
She said in relation to the pulling up of the shutters that were used to partition off the west alcove on the night, there was varying evidence but said it appeared to have occurred just after the staff were alerted to the fire.
The coroner recalled evidence from witnesses who said once the shutters were pulled up, the fire "shot out" and the place filled with smoke.
Dr Cullinane also summarised the evidence of witnesses who described flaming droplets coming from the ceiling, "parachuting flames falling from the ceiling which were alight" and in turn setting other things alight.
She said many of the witnesses gave vivid descriptions of the smoke and said difficulty breathing was referred to in nearly all of the patrons’ evidence.
She recalled how some had described the smoke and fumes as making them feel "weary" and "sleepy" and burning their eyes and lungs.
The coroner said the jurors had also heard substantial evidence in relation to the exit doors and that where there was a conflict in the evidence, it was a matter for them to choose which description to choose to accept.
She went to summarise the evidence in relation to all six of the exits, including how patrons recalled escaping through exit 1 unhindered, and how some made their way out the main entrance (exit 2) without difficulty, but that once outside the doors appeared to close again.
The jury was told of the "crush" of people in the lobby "for about five minutes" before the doors opened.
Witnesses spoke of "suffocating" and people screaming for help.
The coroner recalled evidence from those who said exit 3 was padlocked shut and that it took "fairly big lads" about a minute to kick the door open.
She also summarised evidence regarding exits 4 and 5 and told the jury about testimony of crowds building at the exits, and banging and kicking them before they burst open.
The jury was also told of a witness who said they had "no trouble" getting out of exit 6.
The jury was also reminded of evidence from local residents who reported seeing large flames coming from the roof of the Stardust at a time before which the fire was first spotted by those inside the club.
Earlier, the coroner summarised the evidence given by those working at the club that night, including DJs, waitresses and kitchen and cleaning staff.
The inquests continue tomorrow.
