Stardust fire inquests to proceed after funding row resolved Some families of the 48 fire victims were told they did not meet criteria for legal aid system about 5 hours ago Relatives of Stardust disaster victims are pictured outside the Dublin City Coroner’s Court before an inquest pre-hearing last year. Photograph: Damien Eagers.
Long-awaited inquests into the deaths of 48 young people in the 1981 Stardust disaster can now proceed following the resolution of a funding row between the Department of Justice and the victims’ families. Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys on Wednesday signed regulations into law which will enable all the bereaved families to access legal aid, regardless of their income. This will allow their legal team to start instructing counsel.