Independent Stardust inquiry final report expected by end of year

THE independent inquiry into the 1981 Stardust fire tragedy will begin hearing evidence in September, with a final report expected by the end of the year, legal representatives said yesterday.

Senior counsel John Gallagher, who will oversee the examination is currently studying the original tribunal report and the submission entitled Nothing but the Truth, which was compiled by legal and fire experts representing the Stardust families.

Yesterday, solicitor for the Stardust families, Greg O’Neill, said the entire process would take up to six months, double the timeframe originally envisaged.

It is expected that the period devoted to hearing evidence could take between four and six weeks in September and October, with a report due in December or January.

Sources close to the Government yesterday confirmed that both sides were finalising the terms of reference for the examination and would be looking in future at a possible venue for the hearings.

Researcher for the Stardust Victims’ Committee, Geraldine Foy, said families were hopeful that after months of negotiations, the examination would start.

“Ultimately we will be asking three questions: was the fire properly investigated?; If not, then why and what can the State do to address any shortfalls?” she said.

Since the decision to appoint a legal person to oversee an examination last December, the Stardust Victims’ Committee has continually sought to obtain a definitive start date.

Last month, the Government agreed to make an initial sum of €100,000 available to the committee out of a total allocation of €400,000 so that their own work for the examination might begin.