Stardust victims issue ultimatum over Taoiseach's promise

The Stardust Victims Committee is reportedly threatening to picket the Taoiseach's constituency office over his failure to appoint a legal expert to examine the case for a new inquiry into the 1981 disaster.

Bertie Ahern promised four months ago to appoint an eminent legal expert to examine if a new inquiry into the St Valentine's Day nightclub fire is warranted.

However, reports this morning say the families of the victims are angry with his delay in honouring the promise.

They are reportedly threatening to picket his offices in the run-up to the general election if he does not honour his promise within the next two days.

The families say they have already rejected one name put forward by the Government, while the Department of the Taoiseach has rejected two names put forward by the Stardust Victims Committee.