A Stardust disaster orphan’s 42-year wait for answers

Dublin City Coronor Dr Myra Cullinane has called the Stardust tragedy where 48 young people were killed in a fire in the northside Dublin nightclub in 1981 “the most serious loss of life in one incident of this type in the history of the State” .

The first four weeks of the inquests were taken up with pen portraits of the young victims. Lisa Lawlor - who became known as the “Stardust baby” - here reads part of her powerful and moving pen portrait of her parents Maureen and Francis who were killed in the inferno that February night. She also talks of the impact the tragedy has had on her life.

Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland has attended the inquests, which are taking place in Dublin in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda, every day. She explains what the inquests hope to achieve and why it took 42 years for them to happen.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan