A new pathologist report and submission of evidence based on the 1981 Stardust fire tragedy in Dublin will be presented to the Government tomorrow morning by solicitors representing the victims' families.
The submission aims to establish how and where the fire started and to disprove the original tribunal findings which returned a verdict of "probable arson". The report based on test case studies of three of the fire victims is expected to provide a new insight into how the 48 victims of the fire died on February 14th, 25 years ago. Fire experts such as Prof Michael Delichatsios, Tony Gillick, Robin Knox and pathologist Dr Derek Carson contributed to the submission.
Geraldine Foy, a research assistant to the families' solicitor Greg O'Neill, said the research team had compiled a submission which partly focuses on eight key minutes of evidence previously "overlooked" by the original tribunal.
She said the submission includes "missing links of evidence" from outside witnesses, and explains why 32 victims of the fire tragedy lost limbs. It also aims to explain why victims were found scattered around the Stardust night club and not in groups.
The submission draws on evidence that outside witnesses saw a fire at 1.30am, and how one survivor felt a heat-surge at 1.33am while the tribunal found the fire started at 1.41am under a seat.
Ms Foy maintained a fire started in the switch room as an "electrical arched fire" and then spread into the adjoining storeroom which was separated by half an inch of wooden wall.
"The fire was contained to this area and the ventilation or heating system picked up the uncombusted heat gases which people felt as a heat surge above their heads," said Ms Foy.
"Whereas most fires that start on a dance floor would have gone up into the roof attic, this fire came down on these victims and long before smoke was seen in the ballroom, ash could be tasted in the air, followed by the collapse of the ceiling."
Antoinette Keegan, a spokeswoman for the Stardust Victims' Committee, said it was her hope the Attorney General would reopen the investigation and inquest into the 48 deaths.
The committee has also written to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern seeking financial assistance for the DNA testing of five unidentified victims, set to cost in the region of €63,000.