Sinn Féin Senator Lynn Boylan has slammed the Department of Justice for their recent handling of the Stardust inquest.

Speaking today, Senator Boylan said:

“I am disgusted but unfortunately not surprised that once again the families of the Stardust fire have been let down by the State.  

“Despite repeated commitments given by the Government that they would put in place the necessary resources for the largest inquest in the history of the State, it appears that the blame for the delay in the inquest proceeding lies firmly at the Government’s door.

“I understand that the legal team representing the majority of the families have tried without success to negotiate with the Department for a special arrangement to be made to handle the inquest.  

“An arrangement similar to the one that was made in Britain for the Hillsborough families. Unfortunately, their requests were ignored and the inquest cannot proceed until the matter is resolved.  

“The Minister for Justice must engage with the legal team immediately to resolve this issue. This weekend is the 40th anniversary of the horrific fire, each year the number of relatives are fewer, it is unbearably cruel to drag this out any longer. The families deserve answers.”