The Stardust Victims' Committee announced last night it is to cease its 10-week-long protests following what it claims was the first meeting with the owners of the Stardust nightclub in over 25 years.
In exchange for an end to the protests at a public house adjacent to the site of the former Stardust nightclub, Patrick Butterly and Sons Ltd agreed to erect a memorial to the 48 victims of the 1981 fire tragedy and to change the name of the Silver Swan public house to the Artane House.
Families and friends bereaved by the Stardust tragedy have been protesting outside the Silver Swan pub, previously called Skelly's, since the 25th anniversary of the tragedy in February.
Over the course of the protest, families called for the establishment of a memorial and demanded the pub be renamed because the Silver Swan was the name of the pub originally adjoining the Stardust.
The decision to cease protesting follows a meeting on Saturday between Jimmy Dunne, a member of the Stardust Victims' Committee, and Éamon and Colm Butterly, owners of the Silver Swan pub and the Stardust nightclub.
Mr Dunne said it was the first time a representative of the families had met with the Butterly family for constructive discussion since the tragedy.
"It was accepted by our committee that there is no point in walking and protesting every day for the rest of our lives and that we had to reach a conclusion," said Mr Dunne. "It was a decent and honourable meeting and there was no bitterness. The Butterlys are honourable people and they will see their promises through."
Last night, Antoinette Keegan, who lost two sisters in the fire tragedy, said the Butterly family had promised to consult with a number of artists regarding the proposed memorial and would keep families informed of their progress.
"This is a case of two out of three aims achieved. What we want next is a new inquiry and I will be contacting Bertie Ahern now to arrange a meeting for the 10th of May," said Ms Keegan.
She added that the committee had been overwhelmed with support from the local and extended community over the course of their protests. Her mother, Christine Keegan, said she was anxious Butterly and Sons Ltd put in writing their promises to erect a memorial and change the name of the pub.
Last week, the leaseholder of the Silver Swan pub, Jason Gamble, revealed the ongoing protests were crippling his business and that he may be forced to close.
He had previously committed to erecting a memorial and changing the pub name during a court hearing for the interim transfer of the pub licence.
The committee last night confirmed Éamon Butterly is due to meet with them to finalise the agreement in writing.