Stardust families call for meeting

The Stardust Victims Committee last night called on the owners of the former Stardust nightclub in Dublin to meet bereaved families…

The Stardust Victims Committee last night called on the owners of the former Stardust nightclub in Dublin to meet bereaved families to discuss the future use of the site where the tragedy occurred.

A spokeswoman for the committee, Antoinette Keegan, said that families wanted to discuss a possible memorial to Stardust victims with Patrick Butterly and Sons Ltd, which owns the Silver Swan pub in Artane, that opened last week.

Families and friends bereaved by the Stardust tragedy have protested outside the pub since the 25th anniversary of the fire 10 weeks ago.

"This would be our first meeting with the Butterlys since the fire 25 years ago. The protests are going to continue until we get answers," said Ms Keegan.

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Their demand to meet the Butterly family follows a pledge yesterday by the licence-holder, Jason Gamble, to erect a memorial and change the pub's name.

"Our problem isn't with Jason Gamble because he only has an interim licence. We want to talk to the Butterlys who actually own this premises we are willing to talk, to find a compromise," said Ms Keegan.

Jimmy Dunne, whose son Liam died in the fire, said the committee was prepared to meet Butterly and Sons Ltd on their terms and would agree to a mediator.

"Unless he [ Mr Butterly] wants the protests to continue and for us to object to every planning application there, he will think and operate like a businessman in coming to a compromise," Mr Dunne said.