Stardust Fire: Survivors Await Promised Compensation, Legal Action Threatened
– Survivors of the 1981 Stardust fire in Dublin are continuing to wait for a promised compensation scheme, with lawyers now signaling their intent to pursue legal action against the Irish government. The delay in delivering redress to those injured in the tragedy has sparked anger and frustration, decades after the event claimed the lives of 48 people.
The latest developments come after years of campaigning by families and survivors, which culminated in fresh inquests in delivering verdicts of unlawful killing. Last , €24 million in compensation was agreed for the families of the deceased, marking a significant victory after a 40-year fight for justice. However, the second phase of the redress scheme – intended for the more than 200 survivors who sustained injuries – remains stalled.
Lawyers representing the survivors have expressed deep concern over the lack of clarity from the Department of Justice. Colm Dore, from Phoenix Law Solicitors, stated that he has written twice to the department seeking an update on the promised “extra gratia payments” for survivors. “We’re calling on the Government to honor that explicit promise, to make those extra gratia payments, to give some measure of redress to these traumatised people, but in the immediate term, simply to give them some news, some engagement,” Dore said, according to reports. He further noted the Taoiseach’s apology acknowledged the decades of neglect experienced by the survivors, yet they continue to await information.
Phoenix Law has now issued formal pre-action correspondence to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, on behalf of Jimmy Fitzpatrick, an injured survivor, and other survivors. The firm intends to lodge an application for judicial review if a response indicating “meaningful engagement” on phase two of the redress scheme is not received.
The Department of Justice maintains that there is no “undue delay” and that work to develop proposals is continuing. A statement released by the department indicated that the work, which includes considering compensation originally awarded in , is “due to conclude shortly.” This echoes statements made on , when the department said the process was being advanced.
The Irish government had previously stated that phase two of the redress scheme, dealing with survivors, would be examined once the compensation for the families of the deceased was finalized. The current impasse has prompted accusations of a failure to deliver on public promises.
The Stardust fire, which occurred on St Valentine’s Day at the Artane nightclub in north Dublin, remains one of Ireland’s worst tragedies. Estimates suggest over 200 people were injured in the blaze, and determining eligibility for compensation within the survivor group will be a key task for those drafting the scheme.
A report from the Stardust Victims’ Compensation Tribunal established in details claims made by victims, including reports of lasting physical effects such as lowered vocal ranges and skin rashes. The tribunal awarded compensation to 823 survivors, who are now eligible for the current redress scheme.
Discussions regarding the Stardust fire were also held in the Oireachtas on , where it was noted that payments related to a previous exceptionality scheme had been completed. However, the focus now remains firmly on delivering long-awaited redress to the survivors of the devastating fire.
