Dispute over cost of Stardust disaster research

A row has broken out between the Department of Justice and relatives of the Stardust victims over research costs incurred in the families’ campaign for a fresh inquiry.

Independent researcher Geraldine Foy, who has worked with the families for more than 10 years, says she has spent €82,000 of her own money probing the tragedy and seeking expert opinion.

And while she undertook the task for the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee voluntarily and is not seeking reimbursement of the full amount, she says she is due payment for reports linked to a Government review in 2008.