The long-awaited inquest into the Stardust tragedy is underway at the Pillar Rooms in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Family members have begun to tell the inquest about the lives of their loved ones, who were among the 48 killed in the fire in Artane 42 years ago.
In a first for Ireland, family members will tell the Stardust inquests of their loved ones’ personalities, hopes and dreams, in what’s known as a ‘pen portrait’.
The first to speak of the 48 families to speak was Gertrude Barrett, whose son Michael Barrett was aged 17 when he was killed in fire on February 14th 1981.
An apprentice plumber, and the eldest of four siblings, Michael was the assistant DJ on the night.
His mother Gertrude told the inquest about her son’s infectious smile, wicked sense of humour, and his love for music and Liverpool Football Club.
Michael Barrett’s mother Gertrude told the Inquest she spent four days in the city morgue waiting for her son to be identified.
She said her family, Will never get over losing Michael in such an appalling way and his life ended before it even had a chance to begin.
Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Culinane adjourned the sitting, which will recommence this afternoon.
