Rotunda Hospital set to become new Stardust inquest venue

Yesterday marked 41 years since the Stardust tragedy.

On Valentine's night 1981 a tragic event struck a community on the Northside of Dublin that still lingers in the hearts and minds of many to this day. The Stardust nightclub in Artane became ablaze with hundreds of young people inside ultimately leading to the deaths of 48. 41 years on the families of those who perished are still searching for answers and last month were facing even more difficulty as they had lost their inquest venue. However, this week it was announced that the Rotunda Hospital will now serve as the new inquest venue. The year-long lease at the RDS is due to end shortly and last month there were concerns that another venue might not be found. Yesterday it was reveled that the Pillar Room in the Rotunda Hospital will replace the RDS as the new inquest venue. Chair of the Victim's Committee, Antoinette Keegan, says they received the news of the new venue during the week:

"It was confirmed to us last Wednesday. We're in the Rotunda, and actually that is ideal for everyone. It is central. Families that are travelling from Belfast will be able to commute, to get the train down. Then it is in the city centre, so it suits almost everybody."

A service was held on Sunday for the 41st anniversary of the devastating fire that took so many young lives. Charlie Bird, who was in attendance, said it is to our eternal shame that the relatives of those who died in the Stardust fire are still waiting for the truth. No one has ever been charged in relation to the Stardust fire, though the families of those who died and were injured believe negligence by those involved in the running of the club led to so many deaths.