Former Stardust manager bids to close off option of unlawful killing verdict to inquest jury

Mr Butterly's challenge to the new inquests says the jury should be told at the beginning that an investigation of unlawful killing "forms no part" of the process.

Some of the families of the victims of the 1981 Stardust fire. The families of the deceased have long campaigned for new inquests. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly has claimed before the High Court that the coroner conducting new inquests into the Stardust disaster should instruct the jury it is not open to them to return an unlawful killing verdict.

Paul O'Higgins SC, who was opening Mr Butterly's challenge to the new inquests, said the jury should be told at the beginning that an investigation of unlawful killing "forms no part" of the process. The coroner does not enjoy "unfettered discretion" in relation to this under the Coroners Acts and the Constitution, he said.