Stardust blaze victims' relatives plan protest at Ahern's office

Victims of the 1981 Stardust disaster are planning a protest outside the Taoiseach’s constituency office this weekend to call for a public inquiry, it emerged today.

Bereaved families last month marked the 25th anniversary of the St Valentine’s disco fire, which killed 48 people.

The victims claim Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has failed to meet them since 2002, but Mr Ahern today insisted he has made every effort in recent weeks.

Raising the issue, Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan appealed to Mr Ahern to contact the Stardust relatives before the protest.

But Mr Ahern replied that he had offered to meet the families on three occasions during the past three weeks.

He said he had cleared his diary and was ready to meet them with Justice Minister Michael McDowell on the week of the anniversary, but they cancelled.

The families also postponed provisional appointments last week and again this week.

Mr Ahern said their solicitor said they wanted to make a written submission before any face-to-face meeting.

Mr Ahern told the Dáil: “Given the current circumstances, I said it would have to be after St Patrick’s Day before I can meet them.

“In the meantime they decided to march on me. I’ve done everything possible.”

The Stardust Committee want new evidence, including material uncovered in a recent RTE Prime Time programme, to be fully investigated in a public inquiry.

Mr Ahern told the Dáil last month that advances in science and DNA technology would be used if necessary to shed more light on the Artane tragedy.

The Prime Time special produced two independent fire experts who cast doubt on the original garda inquiry and government-appointed tribunal.

Mr Ahern said: “There are some unanswered questions particularly about DNA and modern science and how it would help the deceased. People believe that to exhume the bodies would help in that.

“All of those will be examined. Let’s get the advice and then we can make a judgement.”

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte suggested that the Government should appoint a senior barrister to re-examine the evidence.

The Taoiseach said the Justice Department and Forensic Science Laboratory were currently examining evidence produced by the Stardust Committee.

RTE has also handed over data from its Prime Time programme to the Justice Department.