Courts / Dublin / Report
Bravery of Stardust survivor hailed as he tells inquest of putting out burning people with his hands
Summary
During the 1981 Stardust fire, a survivor, Mark Swaine, testified that he tried to use his hands to extinguish flames on people escaping the nightclub. He described being trapped against a van at exit three, pushing his girlfriend off a wall, and attempting to break windows to allow people to escape. Swaine said he saw people's hands pressed against the windows and that he was trying to put out the fire. He confirmed that a chain on the main door was preventing people from exiting. Other witnesses described a van obstructing the exit and a brass padlock on the door. The inquest heard that the chain and lock were indeed in place, and that Swaine's actions were an attempt to help those on fire. The hearing continues next Tuesday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bravery of Stardust survivor hailed as he tells inquest of putting out burning people with his hands. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 14, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-10-19 Publication
Why: The first witness Mark Swaine, who was 18 on the night the blaze swept through the Stardust in the early hours of February 14, 1981, today told the jury in the Dublin District Coroner's Court that once he got outside, he tried to break windows because there were people inside and he could see their hands pressed up against them. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Rotunda Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request