Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, Senator Lynn Boylan and Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell this morning met with the families of the Stardust tragedy. 

They commended their bravely and resilience over the last forty three years to finally secure truth and justice for their loved ones.

Ms. McDonald said “it is essential that a State apology is now made and that it addresses the failures of governments not just forty three years ago in the aftermath of this tragedy but every day since then”. 

Ms. McDonald said:

“For four decades, they have faced obstacle after obstacle put in front of them by the State. 

“That is why it is vital that a State apology is now made and that it address the failures of governments not just 43 years ago in the aftermath of this tragedy but every day since then. 

“They had to fight until 2019 to get a second inquest and they had to continue to fight the State every day until the inquest started. 

“They had to fight to ensure that the resources were in place so every family could participate in the inquest and get access to justice. 

“They have to fight for jurors to have their income protected and to be selected in a transparent way as they would in the court system.

“Coroner Dr. Myra Cullinane at the start of the Inquest said the 48 victims who died in the fire would be central to proceedings and she honoured that commitment. 

“It is vital that the State now does the same today.”