Simon Harris, the Taoiseach, has expressed his intention to extend personal apologies to the families affected by the Stardust fire and also disclosed that investigations are underway to offer support, including counselling services. During a Wednesday morning talk, Mr. Harris conveyed his gratitude to the Stardust families for making the trip to the Dáil to receive the official State apology.
He noted his understanding of the difficulty and discomfort that the families underwent in engaging with the State, considering their past betrayal for over four decades. Having offered a State apology previously, Mr. Harris unveiled plans to send personal letters of apology to the affected families.
He stressed his determination to do this as promptly as possible, and to do so in conjunction with the families’ team. Moreover, he mentioned the subject of counselling, promising that the necessary support in this vein would be rolled out shortly.
While discussing potential ideas for the national commemoration, he pledged that there will be direct engagement to ascertain the final execution. He then shared that Cabinet decided that the attorney general and ministers would review the inquest recommendations.
After expressing his remorse “unreservedly” to the families of the 48 victims, he officially apologised on behalf of the State in the Dáil on Tuesday. Victims of the disaster, including deceased loved ones and those suffering grievous injuries, were let down miserably by the State, receiving anything but compassion.
Despite the verdict delivered by an inquest jury last week, deeming all victims unlawfully killed in the tragedy, it was regrettable that the Stardust family endured years of struggle for truth and justice instead of receiving the expected support from the State. The fire, originally claimed to have been set deliberately in 1982, was part of a prolonged legal process.