Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6055Unlawful killings (1981 fire) · Co. Dublin · 14 Feb 1981

Gardaí to consider criminal probe after Stardust inquest verdict

On 14 February 1981, 48 young people died in a blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin. After a year-long inquest, the jury returned unanimous verdicts that all 48 were unlawfully killed, delivered on 18 April 2024 according to the Irish Times and 19 April according to the Irish Mirror. Gardaí were due to assess the coroner's report to decide whether a fresh criminal investigation is needed, and no new criminal inquiry was under way at the time of the reports. The High Court refused former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly's application for judicial review challenging the verdict, though the date of that ruling is not given. The latest development is that gardaí are awaiting the coroner's report before deciding whether to open a criminal probe.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
48 young people died in the Stardust nightclub blaze.
Where
The fire took place at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin.
When
  • The fire occurred on 14 February 1981.
  • The verdicts were delivered on 18 April 2024 according to the Irish Times and on 19 April 2024 according to the Irish Mirror.
Cause
The inquest jury returned unanimous verdicts that all 48 deaths were unlawful killings.
Investigation
  • No new criminal inquiry was under way after the verdicts.
  • Gardaí are to assess the coroner's report to decide whether offences were disclosed and whether a fresh criminal investigation is required.
  • Gardaí said they would await the coroner's report before deciding whether to open a criminal probe.
In court
The High Court refused former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly's application for judicial review challenging the verdict; the Irish Mirror describes him as Stardust manager.
Other details
  • Eamon Butterly, whose father Patrick owned the Stardust building, was not available for comment, and no allegation is made against him.
  • The Taoiseach said it would be a matter for gardaí to consider what steps they must take.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe 48 victims of the 1981 fire were unlawfully killed, according to the inquest verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe jury found that all 48 young people who perished in the nightclub blaze suffered unlawful killings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe fire was in Artane, north Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe fire occurred on 14 February 1981. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe jury returned verdicts of unlawful killing for all 48 deaths. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí were due to assess the coroner's report on the inquest. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationNo new criminal inquiry was under way following the verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí said they would await the coroner's report before deciding whether to open a criminal probe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAn Garda Síochána said it would now await the coroner's report on the matter. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe High Court refused former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly's application for judicial review. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe verdict was delivered after a year-long inquest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí will await the coroner's report. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Taoiseach said it would be a matter for gardaí to consider what steps they must take. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Apr2024
    Otheririshmirror.ie, first report
    Stardust manager unavailable for comment as gardai to examine coroner's report

    Reports the inquest jury's unanimous verdict of unlawful killings and that gardaí are waiting for the coroner's report before deciding on a criminal probe. Stardust manager Eamon Butterly could not be reached for comment; no allegation against him is made.

  2. 19 Apr2024
    Otheririshtimes.com, first report
    Stardust verdicts: Prospect of fresh Garda investigation significantly increases

    Reports the inquest verdicts of unlawful killing for all 48 victims. Gardaí are to assess the coroner's report, and no new criminal inquiry was under way at the time. A former Stardust manager's High Court bid to challenge the verdict was refused.