A coroner’s inquest is a process for investigating the factual circumstances of a death. Evidence is taken from witnesses to assist in answering questions for the coroner’s inquiry namely, who the deceased was and how, when and where they came by their death. An inquest does not deal with issues of blame or with issues of criminal or civil liability.
Original inquests were held in the Dublin District Coroner’s Court into each of these deaths between 1st and 4th day of March 1982.
The families of the deceased subsequently requested the Attorney General to exercise his powers pursuant to section 24 of the Coroners Act 1962. On the 19th of December 2019 having considered the submissions made to him the Attorney General outlined his reasons for acceding to their request and he then formally directed the Dublin District Coroner to hold fresh inquests into the deaths of all forty eight deceased persons.
It is planned that the inquests will be held at The Rotunda Foundation, The Pillar Room, Parnell St, Dublin 1
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Government guidelines in relation to social distancing and other public health advice due to Covid-19 pandemic will have to be complied with during the inquests proceedings. Further information available in our “Covid-19” section.
Pen portraits are a form of commemoration testimony given by family members where they have an opportunity to describe their loved ones in human terms. This testimony will form an integral part of the inquests reminding us that the deceased were sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers. A pen portrait can give an insight into each individual life lost and ensure that the person is fully realised for those at inquest. In this way they can be remembered publicly as much more than one name amongst forty eight names.
With the hearing of these testimonies there can be respect for the dead and dignity for the bereaved.
During any Coroner’s Inquiry an Garda Siochana assist the Coroner in collecting information for an Inquest.
In the Stardust Fire Inquests, the Coroner has requested an Garda Siochana, acting as Coroners’ Officers, to assist in establishing the availability of those persons who may be required to give evidence to the upcoming fresh Inquests.
If a member of an Garda Siochana contacts or calls to the home of a relative of the deceased or an eye witness to the events of the 14th of February 1981 they are acting on behalf of the Coroner in her preparation for these Inquests.