Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD will meet with the Stardust families tomorrow morning, ahead of a Sinn Féin motion being brought to the Dáil next week which will call for a full State apology to the families for the barriers to justice that they have faced over forty-three years.

She said:

“I look forward to meeting with the Stardust families tomorrow. Their campaign for justice, over four decades, has been nothing short of inspirational.

“The verdict of unlawful killing by the inquest into the death of their loved ones yesterday confirms what survivors, victims’ families and Dubliners have always known.

“It has been a long and heartbreaking road for the victims’ families and survivors.

“Those lost will forever be remembered.

“Regrettably, the State has played its part in denying the families justice over those decades.

“The families have overcome.

“They are now owed a full State apology.

“Sinn Féin will make its private members’ time available in the Dáil next week so that the government can do so.”

Motion to be tabled in the Dáil next week is below —

That Dáil Éireann:

Notes the verdict of unlawful killing, which was returned by the 12-person jury at Dublin District Coroner’s Court in respect of each of those who perished in the St Valentine’s blaze in 1981.

Commends the Families of the 48 young people unlawfully killed in the Stardust nightclub in 1981 for their perseverance and determination to seek justice and truth on behalf of their loved ones and the wider community in Artane and North Dublin.

Further commends, the survivors for their bravery and harrowing testimonies, the jury and Dr Myra Cullinane for their service, due diligence and human rights-based approach to this inquest.

Calls on the Government to provide for a full, meaningful and unequivocal State apology to families of the victims and survivors of this tragedy.