Stardust inquest hears chains were left on doors to make them appear locked

The inquests into the 48 people who died in the north Dublin venue following a fire in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 1981 heard evidence on Wednesday from a doorman who was off duty and in the Stardust as a patron on the night. File picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Chains would be left on exit doors on disco nights at the Stardust nightclub to “give the impression” that they were locked, fresh inquests have heard.

Furthermore, only the light of a bicycle helped some staff members to identify the right key to help them escape the venue after the lights went out on the night of the fire, the jury was told.