Courts / Dublin / Report

Stardust manager denies half of victims denied because three exit doors were locked

Summary

During a hearing in the Dublin District Coroner's Court on 4 October 2023, Stardust manager Eamon Butterly denied that the fire on 14 February 1981 killed half of the victims because three exit doors were locked. He said the nightclub was "one of the best wired premises around" and that no fire had started at the premises. Butterly also denied that any fire could have started at the club, describing it as safe. He was questioned by Des Fahy KC, who represented ten families of the 48 people who died. Fahy presented a body map showing 24 bodies found near exits three, four and five, and suggested those locked doors caused the deaths. Butterly replied that the doors were locked only on disco nights, that the lights went out, and that the smoke and panic prevented escape. He admitted the policy was unsafe but said the doorman Tom Kennan controlled the doors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Stardust manager denies half of victims denied because three exit doors were locked. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 14, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 1980 Other
• 2023-10-04 Publication

Why: Photo: Collins) Stardust manager Eamon Butterly has denied that half of the victims of the 1981 blaze died because three exits at the nightclub were locked when the fire broke out, preventing their escape. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report