'Trapped and burnt alive': Families describe horror of Stardust tragedy

The fire claimed the lives of 48 people when it broke out in the Stardust premises in the early hours of February 14, 1981

Patricia Dunne said of her brother Brian Hobbs: 'Brian had grown into a fine young man, good looking, full of charm, the chat, very confident, and he loved clothes and to look well — in other words, he fancied himself.' Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

A father was diagnosed with fast onset dementia due to the unresolved grief at not being able to see his son’s body, which was only identifiable by his monogrammed belt, the inquest into the Stardust Ballroom fire heard.

The fire claimed the lives of 48 people when it broke out in the Stardust premises in Artane in the early hours of February 14, 1981. Portraits of the victims are being presented to the Dublin District Coroner’s Court currently sitting in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital.