‘Bittersweet’ moment for Stardust families as Dáil looks back on 1981 tragedy

Bittersweet was the way many families described the state’s apology to relatives of the 48 people who died in the 1981 Stardust fire.

About 70 family members and survivors sat in the public gallery above the Dáil chamber, peering intently through the Plexiglas as Prime Minister Simon Harris apologized on behalf of the state.

In the Chamber’s premier visitors’ gallery, Antoinette Keegan and other leading campaigners sat in silence to hear what politicians had to say about their four-decade fight for justice.

As the Taoiseach apologized “unreservedly” for the hurt and “very painful years of fighting for the truth” that families and survivors of the Stardust fire have faced, some clasped their hands and some looked up and sighed.

Some held one of the 48 roses brought to the Dáil by Stardust ‘baby’ Lisa Lawlor, who was just 17 months old when both her parents, Francis and Maureen Lawlor, died in the tragedy.

“The news is brilliant, we have achieved a great victory here today that people from the Stardust and the victims will no longer be blamed for their deaths,” she said afterwards.

“We made Irish history today.”

Many TDs remained motionless as Mr Harris said the “pain and grief” of families was “exacerbated by stigma and rejection”.

Following the apology, and as Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan spoke, Mr Harris left the Dáil chamber and entered the public gallery above.

He was seen shaking hands with the families and survivors and speaking briefly with some of them.

Family members described the apology as “good”, “sincere” and “thorough”, and said the new prime minister appeared sincere – but said they were waiting for more information from the state.

Gertrude Barrett, mother of 17-year-old Michael Barrett, and Damien Keegan, brother of Mary and Martina Keegan, both said the day was “bittersweet”, with Mrs Barrett adding: “But in the end we made it.”

Others said it was emotional that the parents of the young people who died, all between the ages of 16 and 27, did not experience justice for their loved ones.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who received enthusiastic applause from families, said the parents of some victims “died without the comfort of justice” but families continued to campaign anyway.

“This travesty took place under the watch of successive governments, successive Taoisigh and successive justice ministers,” she told the Dáil.

“The government’s hope was that the families would eventually stop, eventually shut up, eventually give up, and finally disappear.

“Those governments have forgotten one very important thing: you don’t mess with Dublin Mas, you don’t mess with Dublin Das, you don’t mess with Irish mothers and fathers and families, not when they’re fighting for justice for their children. children.

“Because you will lose and they will win, even if it takes 43 years.”

Several tributes were paid in the Dáil to the parents of Mary and Martina Keegan during the Dail apology and subsequent statements.

John Keegan founded the Stardust Victims’ Committee in 1985 and died the following year, and Christine Keegan, a tireless campaigner who died in 2020.

Damien Keegan said his fifth birthday was in April, after the Stardust tragedy in February 1981.

“All I knew my whole life was seeing my mother fight for justice,” he said.

The Keegan family said it was appreciated that their mother and father’s names were mentioned during the Dail statements, and said the apology was welcome.

“Go on and show us what you mean, you’re sorry. Show us your commitment, what you say you will do for us. Show us,” Mr Keegan said.

Antoinette Keegan, one of the lead campaigners for the Stardust families, said families felt “overwhelmed” by the verdict and the public apology, things they “never expected to get”.

Asked if she would like to see criminal proceedings, Ms Keegan said: “To be honest, I would. Because, 48 dead, someone has to be held accountable. That’s my opinion.

“Someone must be held responsible for 48 deaths.”

John Muldoon, brother of 19-year-old Kathleen Muldoon, said the families needed time and space before deciding what was next to “give people a chance to catch their breath”.

Louise McDermott, whose brothers William and George and sister Marcella all died in the Stardust fire, said the apology was “sincere” and that her mother Bridget McDermott was “so happy” that someone stood up and apologized.

“We will wait and see if they organize a memorial for them, which I think should happen, and something will be set up to always remember them,” she said.