Stardust campaigner 'very annoyed and angry' at Dáil apologies made by two TDs

Stardust campaigner Antoinette Keegan said: 'I don't accept their apologies because they locked the doors from us getting in.' Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that every TD is entitled to speak in the Dáil, following criticism from leading Stardust campaigner Antoinette Keegan over speeches by TDs Sean Haughey and Richard Bruton.

Ms Keegan refused to accept an apology from the two TDs made in the Dáil earlier this week, adding that many of the Stardust families were "very annoyed and angry" at their apologies.

Ms Keegan told RTÉ Radio’s 1's Morning Ireland that she had telephoned Sean Haughey’s office “so many times over the years” and had been told repeatedly that he would call her back but he did not do so.

Following the McCartan Report in 2017 the Stardust relatives were told by both politicians “it’s over” and that all that could be done had been done, she said.

“So I don't accept their apologies because they locked the doors from us getting in. We were locked out. We were locked out from getting in," she said.

Ms Keegan said that former taoiseach Charlie Haughey had caused a lot of damage when he called for a tribunal on the day that her sisters Mary and Martina were being buried. That tribunal, which sat for 122 days, concluded that arson had been a probable cause for the fire, she said.

Antoinette Keegan said that former taoiseach Charlie Haughey had caused a lot of damage when he called for a tribunal on the day that her sisters Mary and Martina were being buried. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

“That actually obstructed us and left us in limbo for five years because we could not take a case to the court against anybody because arson was on the record." This decision left the survivors in "limbo" for the next 27 years, Ms Keegan said.

“No one was responsible. There were 841 people in the disco, so any one of us was an arsonist that night, including the 48. And that stood on the record for 27 years," she said.

Sean Haughey said he believed he “consistently followed up” any issues raised by the Stardust families, saying he raised matters in the Dáil and questioned ministers.

“If I’m honest though, this was not enough. I also admit that my relations with the committee were, at times, fraught and I do regret that,” Mr Haughey said.

Meanwhile, Mr Bruton said representatives from their constituency had “failed them”, while referencing the chains and padlocks placed on doors of the nightclub that prevented victims from escaping.

“Often it seemed that the chains and the padlocks were being again put in place as they sought to find justice from a system which always seemed to have the doors closed,” Mr Bruton said.

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Speaking in Jordan, Mr Martin welcomed the full apology as delivered by Taoiseach Simon Harris, saying it was important it was delivered without "caveat or qualification".

When asked about Mr Haughey’s contribution, the Tánaiste said that he believed that every TD is permitted to speak in the Dáil and that people are able to agree or disagree with their contributions. 

“Every member of the Dáil is entitled to speak as a member of the national parliament,” Mr Martin said. “One doesn’t have to accept or agree with a particular contribution, but elected representatives are entitled to speak.” 

On compensation for the families, Mr Martin said that it was likely that there would be a redress scheme, but that the Government needed to further engage with the families first.