The licence-holder of a newly reopened public house adjacent to the site of the Stardust nightclub says his business is being crippled by relatives' protests.
Families and friends bereaved by the Stardust tragedy have protested outside the pub, previously called Skelly's, since the 25th anniversary of the fire in February.
Last night Jason Gamble, the licensee of the Silver Swan pub in Artane, told The Irish Times he was unsure how much longer the pub could remain open due to poor business since last week's opening and the substantial costs of the lease.
Mr Gamble said he sympathised with locals who were not drinking in the bar out of respect for Stardust victims and protesters, but said he had "the interests of 11 staff from the local Artane community to think about". "Since opening last Tuesday, we have done nothing compared to the normal opening week of a new pub," he said.
Mr Gamble committed himself to establishing a victims' memorial and renaming the pub in consultation with bereaved families.
He said he was willing to meet members of the Stardust Victims' Committee, who have been protesting outside the bar for 10 weeks, to help them refocus their campaign for a new inquiry.
Following two recent court hearings regarding the bar licence, Stardust families accused Mr Gamble of being a "front" for Patrick Butterly and Sons Ltd, who owned the Stardust nightclub and are the owners of the Silver Swan bar.
This, however, was last night rejected by Mr Gamble.
The Stardust Victims' Committee is to meet tonight.