The deaths of 48 people in the worst fire in the history of Ireland were today ruled by a jury as unlawful killing.
The devastating blaze broke out at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 1981.
The club was packed with around 800 people before tragedy struck, claiming the lives of a staggering 48, and injuring over 200.
Immediately following the fire, an inquiry found that the likely cause of the fire was arson on account of someone setting light to a chair near the venue’s ballroom – a move that appeared to blame the fire on those that had attended the disco on the fateful night.
However, the ruling was dismissed in 2009 and a victims’ committee worked relentlessly to get a renewed inquiry into the cause of the inferno.
Today, after a 43-year-long wait, a verdict of unlawful killing was returned by the jury – with the jury foreman saying it had reached the same verdict into the deaths of each individual.
The MailOnline has remembered all 48 victims, most of whom were just teenagers; here are their stories.
All 48 victims of the Stardust nightclub inferno on Valentine’s Day in 1981 were unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled, with relatives sobbing with relief
Pictured: The interior of the nightclub is seen in 1981 in the aftermath of the devastating fire
The devastating blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, broke out in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 1981, killing 48 people
Today, after a 43-year-long wait, a verdict of unlawful killing was returned by the jury – with the jury foreman saying it had reached the same verdict into the deaths of each individual
Families have been waiting for over four decades for answers
Relatives of victims who were among the 48 victims of the Stardust nightclub fire on Valentine’s day in 1981, hold their pictures outside Leinster House in Dublin on the 37th anniversary of the tragedy. On Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Michael Barrett (17) from Raheny, Dublin
Barrett was a popular young man with a ‘wicked sense of humour’
Barrett was an apprentice plumber working in Stardust on the night of the fire.
He had been assisting on the DJ set with his pal Colm O’Brien.
At Thursday’s inquest, his mother Gertrude said he was a popular young man with a ‘wicked sense of humour and loved cracking jokes and playing pranks’.
Richard Bennett (17) from Coolock, Dublin
Bennett had reportedly been looking forward to a dance competition taking place at the nightclub that night
The horse and dance lover was the eldest of four siblings, and was described as a ‘father figure’ to them.
He had reportedly been looking forward to a dance competition taking place at the nightclub that night, and it was revealed he was initially not allowed entry due to the lack of a tie.
The inquest heard that someone had handed him one at the door which led to him being granted access into the venue.
Singer Christy Moore previously spoke on behalf of his family, saying said they were ‘still searching for answers’ after four decades.
Carol Bissett (18) from Ringsend, Dublin
Bissett’s sister Liz read a tragic poem dedicated to Bissett during the inquest
The Girl Guides and choir member was the second eldest of five children, before her life was taken at Stardust nightclub.
Her sister Liz read a tragic poem dedicated to Bissett during the inquest.
One line read: ‘My memories then are filled with Mam and minding her as best I can, To stop her crying over the child she lost, I had to help her bear her cross.’
James Buckley (23) from Donnycarney, Dublin
Buckley had recently won a competition for his Elvis Presley impression
The passionate hurler was ‘funny and witty and the life and soul of every party,’ the inquest heard.
Buckley had recently won a competition for his Elvis Presley impression before he died in the blaze.
His brother Errol revealed he had won a dance competition on the night of the Stardust fire, and James had gone back inside to look after him.
Paula Byrne (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Byrne’s schoolbooks would often be filled with drawings and doodles, it was revealed at the inquest
According to her devastated siblings, Byrne was ‘very much a people person. She loved her friends and family and was loyal and devoted to both’.
She loved fashion and the arts, and her schoolbooks would often be filled with drawings and doodles, it was revealed.
They said one word that summed up Paula would be ‘kindness’.
Caroline Carey (17) from Coolock, Dublin
Carey was expecting a baby before she died in the Stardust blaze
Carey’s sister Maria heartbreakingly revealed that three weeks before her sister’s death, she had told her family she was expecting a baby.
Maria said: ‘Forty years ago, teenage pregnancy was a taboo subject.
‘My parents were devastated at the news but put their arms around her and assured her everything would be fine’.
Carey was also a talented Irish dancer and member of her parish choir.
John Colgan (21) from Swords, Co Dublin
Colgan ‘was always upbeat, looking forward to every day,’ according to his brother
Colgan was part of his father’s painting and decorating business and enjoyed playing the guitar.
His sister Susan Behan said her brother was looking forward to becoming an uncle, as she was pregnant when he died.
‘He was always upbeat, looking forward to every day,’ she said.
Jacqueline Croker (19) Kilmore West, Dublin
Croker was the eldest child in her family after her parents lost two children
Croker, also known as Jackie, was the eldest child in her family after her parents tragically lost two other children who had died as infants.
Her sister Alison Keane recalled the night of the fire, saying: ‘My sister Jackie just went out to play darts and then decided to go to the Stardust to see how Paula was doing with the rest of her friends and she died.’
Liam Dunne (18) Coolock, Dublin
Dunne was dashed to hospital after the fire and died on March 11, 1981
The record-loving Dunne was hospitalised following the fire.
His sister Siobhán described the upset of seeing him in the Mater, as well as knowing that so many of their friends were there.
He died on March 11 that year.
Siobhán said: ‘I died also. I was 16 and the pain of that sadness has never left me.’
Michael Farrell (26) from Coolock, Dublin
Farrell was dating Thelma Frazer who was also killed in the Stardust fire
Farrell had a job at Cadbury, and ‘loved pay day’ – where he would give his mother what he called her ‘wages’ and then treat himself to clothes or afershave.
Michael was dating Thelma Frazer who was also killed in the Stardust fire.
David Flood (18) from Beaumont, Dublin
Flood’s nephew noted that his own parents were supposed to go to Stardust that evening too, but they ended up not going
Flood’s nephew Ciarán said his uncle was a ‘bit of a rocker, mad into The Rolling Stones’.
Ciarán noted that his own parents were supposed to go to Stardust that evening too, but they ended up not going.
‘I inherited Dave’s records and, as I listened to them, I wished that I had gotten to know my uncle before his life was cut short.’
Thelma Frazer (20) Sandymount, Dublin
Frazer died alongside her boyfriend Michael Farrell
Frazer tragically died alongside her boyfriend Michael Farrell.
She ‘excelled’ in her studies and loved sports, music, and dancing.
Her sister Barbara said: ‘A few months before Thelma was killed, she won some money and she went straight out and bought presents for us younger children.’
Michael Ffrench (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Ffrench was dubbed a ‘legend’ by his younger siblings
‘Michael was a legend. He was our big brother and our rock,’ said his family in their tribute to the young man nicknamed ‘Horsey’.
The family suffered an agonising 25-year wait for DNA confirmation that Ffrench had died in the Stardust fire.
Josephine Glen (16) from Coolock, Dublin
Glen was hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation. She died on February 19, 1981
Glen was her mother’s ‘right hand’ and contributed the majority of her wages to her household.
She was hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation and her sister Sheena recalled their mother praying and ‘pleading with God not to take her from us’.
Her life support machine was switched off on February 19, 1981.
Michael Griffiths (17) Kilmore, Dublin
Griffiths ‘was someone you could look up to’ according to his brother Paul
A Tottenham Hotspur fan, Griffiths was the eldest of five siblings.
His brother Paul said: ‘He was someone you could rely on and look up to.
‘He loved family occasions like birthdays, and when younger would always be first to drag us out of bed on Christmas morning to get the day started.’
Robert Hillick (20) from Twinbrook, Belfast
Hillick, from Belfast, had gone to Dublin to work on a building site
One of the few victims who was not originally from Dublin, Hillick grew up in Belfast with his mother and older brother Bill, who has since passed away.
He had gone to Dublin to work on a building site.
Brian Hobbs (21) from Whitehall, Dublin
Hobbs’ sister Pat told the inquest he was supposed to be working the night of the fire but his ‘boss relented at the last minute’
Hobbs was the youngest of seven children and attended catering college before going on to win a gold medal when he represented Ireland in his catering section on ‘Wine Waiting’.
His sister Pat told the inquest he was supposed to be working the night of the fire but his ‘boss relented at the last minute’.
The family only found out later that he had gotten a taxi to the nightclub.
Eugene Hogan (24) from Artane, Dublin
Hogan was married and had two children, and his family had been due to move to Kerry on February 15
Hogan was one of nine children, and his family revealed he hated his name so much he changed it to Hughie.
He was married and had two children, and his family had been due to move to Kerry on February 15.
Murtagh Kavanagh (27) from Coolock, Dublin
Kavanagh’s sister Terry Jones, said the family initially assumed he was staying overnight at a friend’s house on the night of the blaze
Kavanagh, known by friends and family as ‘Murty’ was a lover of music, football, fishing and cooking.
His sister, Terry Jones, revealed how the family initially assumed he was staying overnight at a friend’s house on the night of the blaze.
Martina Keegan (16) Coolock, Dublin
Keegan had brought a Valentine’s card for her boyfriend to the nightclub with her
Keegan was killed in the nightclub fire, alongside her friend Mary Kenny and boyfriend David Morton.
Her sister Lorraine Keegan said she was a ‘real-life lookalike of Marilyn Monroe’ and everyone assumed she would become a model.
Keegan had brought a Valentine’s card for her boyfriend to the nightclub with her.
Mary Keegan (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Keegan was the eldest of five children. Her sister Martina also died in the fire
As the eldest of five children, Keegan’s brother Damien told the inquest ‘she was not only our big sister, but she was also a best friend to us all and would keep our secrets of mischief’.
Robert Kelly (17) from Raheny, Dublin
Kelly was described as the ‘apple of his mother’s eye’
Kelly and his brother Eugene worked ships and Kelly was set to be working the week of the fire.
But the ship went into dry dock which gave Kelly the opportunity to visit Stardust nightclub.
Eugene’s daughter Mandy said: ‘Robert was the youngest and I’ve been told the apple of his mother’s eye.’
Marie Kennedy (17) from Kilbarrack, Dublin
Kennedy was the oldest of six and her sister Michelle said she was ‘our best pal but we knew she wasn’t to be trifled with’
Kennedy was a keen Irish dancer and enjoyed music, fashion, and tailoring.
She was born a week before Christmas and her family have retained the tradition of putting up the decorations on her birthday.
Kennedy was the oldest of six and her sister Michelle said she was ‘our best pal but we knew she wasn’t to be trifled with’.
Mary Kenny (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Kenny was popular among her peers at school
Kenny was popular among her peers at St Maria Goretti Primary School and Coláiste Dhúlaigh Technical School in Coolock.
Her youngest sister Angela recalled: ‘Mary didn’t drink or smoke; her passions in life were dancing and fashion and she would look forward to going to the Stardust nightclub on a Friday night just to dance all night with her friends.’
Margaret Kiernan (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Kiernan’s older brother said: Like most young girls, she dreamed of just being happy, getting married and having children’
Kiernan’s older brother James said his little sister enjoyed sports and socialising, and had a ‘vast number of friends’.
He said: ‘Like most young girls, she dreamed of just being happy, getting married and having children.’
Sandra Lawless (18) from Coolock, Dublin
Lawless had organised most of her sister’s wedding just seven months before the Stardust tragedy
The outdoors lover was a group leader in the Girl Guides and a member of the swimming club.
Her youngest brother Brendan said: ‘What I remember most about Sandra is her kind heart.
‘She helped my mother look after us younger children… and always with a smile on her face.’
Lawless had organised most of her sister’s wedding just seven months before the Stardust tragedy.
Francis Lawlor (25) from Finglas, Dublin
Lawlor and his wife Maureen died in the fire after going out to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Lawlor and his wife Maureen had gone out together to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the day of the disaster.
Their deaths mean their baby daughter Lisa Lawlor was left orphaned.
She said: ‘I have no memories whatsoever of my two parents, other than the pain, loss, and complete and utter devastation. I grew up in the shadow of this disaster.’
Maureen Lawlor (23) from Finglas, Dublin
Lawlor died alongside her husband, leaving their young daughter orphaned
The wife of Francis ‘was pretty, petite and slender with rosy cheeks, a fashionable blonde perm, and blue eyes.
‘All the boys liked her,’ added her daughter Lisa.
She said: ‘My family would tell me that I was the light of my parents’ life and that they were totally smitten with their baby girl.
‘The only wonder was that they went out that night at all because they never liked to leave me.’
Paula Lewis (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Lewis died alongside her friend Sandra Lawless
Described as a ‘good girl, a kind girl’ Lewis was ‘type of girl that handed up her wages to Mum if Mum was stuck,’ her brother John said.
Before she died, she had been planning a holiday to Malaga.
Her friend Sandra Lawless also died in the blaze.
Eamonn Loughman (19) from Beaumont, Dublin
Loughman loved cars and stock racing at Santry
Loughman loved cars and stock racing at Santry.
His brother Eoin said: ‘He used to drive up to Cólaiste Dhúlaigh to collect me from school and I would jump into the front seat and he would show off and do a bit of a wheel spin, driving out just to make a noise and we both would love the attention from everyone.’
His cousin Maureen James recalled his ‘deep laugh and the fact that he sang the same note over no matter what the actual tune was’.
George McDermott (18) from Raheny, Dublin
McDermott was a Tottenham Hotspur fan and lover of music
McDermott was one of three siblings to die in the Stardust tragedy.
Known as ‘Georgie’, the teen was a Tottenham Hotspur fan and lover of music.
According to his sister June: ‘When we think of what George would be like now, he would have been 58 and probably running Paddy Power’.
Marcella McDermott (16) from Raheny, Dublin
McDermott was the sixth of eight children – three of whom died in the Stardust fire
Her sister recalled McDermott being a ‘happy’ girl who loved singing and dancing.
She was the sixth of eight children and loved spending time with her family, the inquest heard.
Her father was a fireman, who was off duty on the night of the blaze.
‘This haunted him for the short years he had left in his life,’ the inquest heard.
William McDermott (22) from Raheny, Dublin
McDermott was described by his older sister Louise as the ‘big brother who protected us all’
One of three of the McDermott siblings who died in the blaze, ‘Willie’ was described by his older sister Louise as the ‘big brother who protected us all’.
Louise added: ‘I remember myself and my sister gathering up the Valentine’s cards that were delivered to the house and most of them were for Willie.
‘Sadly, he would never get to see them or know how much he was admired.’
Julie McDonnell (20) from Coolock, Dublin
McDonnell had her 21st birthday was planned for the following weekend
McDonnell was a footie-mad coach whose sister Paula won a dancing competition at Stardust on the night of the fire, and her siblings were there to cheer her on.
Her 21st birthday was planned for the following weekend.
The inquest heard ‘she had it all organised and paid for’.
Teresa McDonnell (16) from Coolock, Dublin
McDonnell’s sister Lorraine was also at the nightclub when the fire broke out and recalls McDonnell urging her to get out
Animal-loving McDonnell ’embraced life, friendship, and fun’.
Her sister Lorraine was also at the nightclub when the fire broke out and recalls McDonnell urging her to get out.
She described ‘pandemonium and chaos’ as friends later realised they could not find the 16-year-old.
‘Her last words to me are engraved onto my mind – ‘Lorraine. Get out, there’s a fire’. The last memory I have of my little sister is her putting me before her own safety.’
Gerard McGrath (21) from Coolock, Dublin
McGrath’s sister said he had an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of garden birds’
McGrath was described by his sister Liz McKeon as a lover of wildlife and nature, saying he had an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of garden birds’.
Caroline McHugh (17) from Artane, Dublin
McHugh was invited to a wedding in England the weekend of the Stardust fire
McHugh was an only child and avid reader of romance novels.
Her parents Maurice and Phyllis said she excelled in mathematics and it would have been the start of her career.
MuHugh was invited to a wedding in England the weekend of the Stardust fire, but she wanted to stay in Dublin and attend the dance competition with friends.
Donna Mahon (17) from Raheny, Dublin
Mahon had not been at Stardust long when the fire broke out
Mahon had made plans to go to Santa Ponsa to celebrate her 18th birthday before dying in the fire.
On the night of the blaze, she had been in a venue known as the Apartment before taking a taxi to Stardust to join her sister Bernie.
She had not been at Stardust long when the fire broke out.
Her sister was carried out unconscious and in a critical condition.
Helena Mangan (22) from Coolock, Dublin
Mangan’s daughter Samantha was only four years old when Mangan died
Mangan was a fan of baking, Christmas, and Rod Stewart, who had only been abroad once in her life – to Benidorm.
Her daughter Samantha was only four years old when Mangan died.
Samantha said: ‘My family was left broken, devastated and destroyed. My family were left so broken that they could barely mention her name.’
James Millar (21) from Twinbrook, Belfast
Millar travelled the world with the Merchant Navy before settling down in Dublin
Millar was engaged to be married after having left the North amid the Troubles.
He travelled the world with the Merchant Navy before settling down in Dublin.
His heartbroken sister Laura was meant to go to Stardust on the night of the fire but pulled out at the last minute.
Millar’s family did not know he had been at Stardust until they received a phone call from the police on the night.
Susan Morgan (19) from Derry
Morgan was part of a group of girls who moved from Derry to Dublin
Yvonne Graham told the inquest how she and Morgan were part of a group of girls who moved from Derry to Dublin to work in the Nazareth House care home on the Malahide Road.
She said their lives in the capital were a ‘massive contrast’ to Derry as they left a place in conflict and arrived in a city ‘buzzing with life and freedom’.
David Morton (19) from Artane, Dublin
Morton had dreamed of travelling to Spain with his friends
Morton’s brother Alan revealed that he was nicknamed ‘Chesty’ because he didn’t like to muddy his hair with a header when playing football.
Before passing away, the teen had dreamed of travelling to Spain with his friends.
Kathleen Muldoon (19) from Kells, Co Meath
Muldoon was the eldest of 10 children
The eldest of 10 children, Muldoon was reportedly finding her independence and owned her own car at the time of the Stardust tragedy.
Her brother Hugh said: ‘Looking after and caring for people is something she loved.’
George O’Connor (17) from Coolock, Dublin
O’Connor ‘was always drawing, trying to replicate the spaceships from the comics and films of Star Wars’ his sister said
Described as ‘quiet and reserved’, his sister Donna said her brother was a ‘huge science-fiction fan and was always drawing, trying to replicate the spaceships from the comics and films of Star Wars, Star Trek, and War of the Worlds’.
She added: ‘Sadly, the first dance he ever went to was also to be his last.’
Brendan O’Meara (23) from Coolock, Dublin
O’Meara’s brother said he didn’t go to the nightclub with his brother because he was exhausted from working since 4.30am that morning
Active O’Meara was described as an ‘international standard’ Irish dancer, as well as a darts and football fan.
His brother Jimmy said he didn’t go to the nightclub with his brother because he was exhausted from working since 4.30am that morning.
‘I felt survivor’s guilt. You blame yourself. We would have escaped together if I’d been there,’ he said.
John Stout (18) from Coolock, Dublin
Stout had attended Stardust with his girlfriend, Helena Mangan, who was also killed in the fire
Stout was the third child in a large family which had 11 surviving children.
He had attended Stardust with his girlfriend, Helena Mangan, who was also killed in the fire.
His niece, Alison Forrester, said: ‘He would have been a painter-decorator with a career and a life of his own, but John never got to see and experience his adulthood’.
Margaret Thornton (19) from Dublin
Thornton’s sister said: ‘She was enjoying her new-found independence, becoming a young woman and making plans and having dreams’
Thornton was the youngest child of her family, and her mother worked three jobs after her father was killed in a hit-and-run.
Her sister, Patricia Greene, said: ‘She loved her music and concerts, going out with her family and friends and doting on her nieces and nephew.
‘She was enjoying her new-found independence, becoming a young woman and making plans and having dreams. She was planning to travel with her best friend Valerie to Amsterdam’.
Paul Wade (17) from Artane, Dublin
Wade was among seven victims whose bodies were unidentified
The 17-year-old was one of five boys and a twin to Liam.
His brother Tony said he was desperate to leave school and get a job, explaining: ‘He jacked in the job after two weeks because he missed hanging about with his friends.
‘He hadn’t a clue what he wanted to do, he was that young’.
Tony went to the Stardust with Wade, who was on a date with Susan Morgan from Derry.
Wade was among seven victims whose bodies were unidentified.
