Stardust families denied justice for so long - President

The President has spoken of how the relatives of the Stardust victims were abandoned, failed by the system and denied justice for so long.

Michael D Higgins was speaking at an event at Áras an Uachtaráin, where over 150 relatives of the 48 dead were in attendance.

They died 43 years ago, when a fire ripped through the nightclub in Artane in Dublin.

President Higgins also paid tribute to their campaign which culminated last April when an inquest jury returning verdicts of unlawful killing for all those who died.

"Indeed, it was not just the long wait for information that was unacceptable, but also the additional hurt that was caused in the past by the regular reference to what were unfounded theories as to the cause of the fire.

"I readily understand the feeling felt by the relatives and victims gathered or represented here of being abandoned and failed by the system, of their being denied justice for the loss of loved ones for so long," he said.

The families present said the event showed just how far they had come, saying they had been ignored by the establishment for years.

"You could say we’re very overwhelmed,’ said Antoinette Keegan, who survived the blaze, but who lost two sisters, Mary and Martina, in the disaster.

"The President has given us this invitation to the Áras. He’s the President of Ireland and what he’s doing today is a momentous day for the 48, remembering them, and it’s overwhelming for all the families.

"Today is the day, the President has given his day to us and that’s a big thing for the families and it’s an acknowledgement from the families to thank him for giving his time for us today".

Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was killed, said it was an emotional day.

"I feel it’s drawn a line under an awful lot of pain and suffering that the families have endured.

"I’m really happy to be here and I know my Mam and Dad and my brother John are so pleased that they’ve (the victims) all been vindicated," she said.

Some Stardust families said they would not attend the event. Among these were the relatives of 17-year-old Michael Barrett, 24-year-old Eugene Hogan and 27-year-old Murtagh Kavanagh.

Michael Barrett's mother Gertrude said she got truth for her son at the recently held inquests, but feels justice is still outstanding.

"This visit to the president could have been an event that put the Stardust to bed, but I’m boycotting it because I feel that justice is still outstanding."

Ms Barrett said she wanted accountability.

Earlier this year, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he had asked officers to revisit investigation files regarding the fire.

However, Ms Barrett said she was awaiting results from that.

Murtagh Kavanagh's sister Terry Jones said Taoiseach Simon Harris had said this year would be the year to "right the Stardust", and said she was hoping that would be delivered and that they get justice.

The event follows year-long inquests, the State apology, the State commemoration and the agreement on a compensation package worth €24 million.

Ms Keegan said that despite this, there are still outstanding issues.

"We need the curriculum for the schoolbooks, to go in the school books. The Government promised us we'd have a commemoration day, I’ve already organised the anniversary for next year.

"We are hoping the Government will contribute to that."