Stardust Inquests: The cross examination of former manager Eamon Butterly

Former manager of venue has spent 19 hours giving direct evidence

Listen | 21:54
Eamon Butterly former manager of the Stardust club, leaving the inquest into the 48 deaths. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Eamon Butterly former manager of the Stardust club, leaving the inquest into the 48 deaths. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Eamon Butterly, the former manager of the Stardust nightclub on Dublin’s northside, where 48 young people died in a fire in 1981, is one of the most important witnesses appearing before the inquests at the Dublin District Coroner’s Court.

The 78-year-old, whose family owned the building and who was on-site the night of the fire has given evidence for more than a week and will resume his testimony this morning.

Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland explains what Butterly has said about how the tragedy occurred including the role of locked doors and flammable carpet tiles.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast