Yahoo News Tributes paid to Stardust nightclub fire campaigner Christine Keegan in Ireland
Tributes are being paid to Stardust nightclub fire campaigner Christine Keegan, who died on Tuesday.
The mother, who campaigned for decades for the 48 people killed in the 1981 Valentine’s Day fire in North Dublin, was described as a “fighter and hero”.
Mrs Keegan’s two daughters Mary, 19, and Martina, 16, were killed in the fire while another daughter, Antoinette, survived the fire.
Antoinette and Christine became leading campaigners for justice and were heavily involved in the Stardust Victims Committee.
Attorney General Seamus Woulfe said in September he was ordering a fresh inquest into the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane in Dublin’s Northside.
The decision came following a renewed campaign by families and survivors.
A statement posted on the Justice for Stardust 48 Twitter page said: “It is with deep sadness that we have the announce the passing of Christine.
“Our thoughts are with Antoinette and all the Keegan family. Christine was an amazing woman, our hero, our fighter for justice for our loved ones.
“She is now at rest with John, Mary and Martina.”
Previous inquiries showed that a number of escape routes from the dance hall were blocked because emergency doors were locked by chains.
Concerns have also been raised about the investigation of the scene, which allowed politicians and media representatives to walk through the building just days later.
Despite findings of safety breaches, there were no prosecutions over the incident.
An initial finding of probable arson meant that the relatives of the dead and injured were unable to sue the club owners and operators for alleged negligence.
In 1983, the owners of the Stardust were awarded damages equivalent to more than €730,000 euro after suing Dublin Corporation.
Families and survivors have been lobbying the Irish Government for years in order to obtain a fresh inquiry.
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