Relatives of the victims of the Stardust fire are being means tested for legal aid for the forthcoming inquests, which is causing “huge hurt” and risks creating division among families, the Seanad has been told.
The inquests into the deaths of 48 young people in the Stardust ballroom in Artane, in the early hours of the February 14th, 1981, are due to take place at the RDS in Dublin later this year and are expected to last several months.said the families “have waited 40 years for justice and now they’re being asked for PPS numbers, for bank statements, for payslips. They’re being asked what car they drive”.
It was being “actively worked on” but might require new regulations. Mr Feighan said there would be a response on the matter “shortly” which would allow the inquests to start a few weeks after that. She added that it was inappropriate that families were being asked for their financial details “given the significance of this inquest, given the 40 years they’ve had to wait”.