Sir, - In his Irishman's Diary of November 26th, John Moran recounted the tragic story of the Stardust disaster in which 48 young people died needlessly.
He concluded by quoting a firefighter who said a similar conflagration could happen again. It would seem that in the 20 years since the disaster we have learned nothing.
It is a well-known fact that pubs and clubs are crammed, particularly at the weekends, and that some managers and owners have scant regard for customers' safety in their greed to maximise profit.
Why is there no legislation to control the number of people allowed on to a premises where drink is the main reason for being there? It is all the more extraordinary that the very same premises must have a licence to sell drink but none, in the interest of safety, to control the numbers entering. In other countries these premises are strictly controlled and the owners are obliged to display publicly a licence to show the maximum number of people allowed in. If they breach this they lose their licence, so it is not unusual to see patrons outside waiting for someone to vacate the premises.
Stairways in halls and theatres must be kept clear at all times. Sitting is not allowed to make sure escape in the event of a fire is unhindered - but not so in drinking outlets where stairs are widely used for the overspill from the bar or lounge. - Yours, etc.,
Brendan M. Redmond, Hazelbrook Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W.