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THE BROTHER OF a 19-year-old victim of the Stardust fire today told the inquest that the manner in which things were “pushed under the carpet” in the wake of the disaster was “an insult to everyone who died and all those loved ones who were affected”.
Alan Morton read a pen portrait of his brother, David, who was one of 48 people killed when flames swept through the Stardust nightclub in the early hours of 14 February 1981.
“David, or ‘Chesty’ as he was known to his mates, was six years older than me, so from my perspective there was no getting away from the fact that he would always be the big brother and we were very much like chalk and cheese,” said Alan.
He revealed that football-mad David got the nickname ‘Chesty’ as he was happier having a shirt covered in mud than having a dirty ball mess his mane of dark hair.
Alan said that their parents, especially their mum, pushed David to stay in school to get a good education and job, but David had other ideas, as all he wanted to do was leave and start working.
“He was suddenly starting to have an interest in clothes, music and girls and knew the only way he could have these was with a job as things were tight back then for my parents,” said Alan.
Alan said he will always remember the night his parents received news of a fire in the Stardust. He said that his brother wore a star of David around his neck, and it was this item that was used to identify him.
Back then the support probably wasn’t what it’s like today.
“I’m sure my parents did everything they could to hold it together, but I could see the effect and impact it was having as the days progressed,” Alan said.
“Unfortunately, back then the support probably wasn’t what it’s like today.”
He said that their mother tried her best, but their father struggled, and being “a typical Irishman” meant bottling everything up.
“We would visit the grave every Sunday. I hated it, I didn’t understand, but deep down I wanted to support my parents,” said Alan.
“I always think of my brother when I return to Dublin. I make every effort to visit the grave and have a chat; it’s not something that comes naturally.
The jury heard that the family has been frustrated with the State’s response to the tragedy.
“I just want someone to accept that what happened was a dreadful event that could have been avoided,” Alan said.
“We can’t change our past, but we should learn to accept that the way this was handled was wrong and could have been avoided.”
Kathleen Muldoon
The jury also heard a pen portrait of Kathleen Muldoon (19), presented by her brother, Hugh, who said that after her death, leaving the house was a nerve-wracking experience.
“My mother went to the local village and heard about a terrible fire that happened in Dublin, not realising at the time that her own daughter was in the fire. We had no house phone at the time. Kathleen’s remains were confirmed by her uncle a few days later,” Hugh explained.
“Life very much changed for everyone in our house that day.
“Going to a disco or a social event was difficult. Going anywhere indoors was a nerve-wracking experience for our parents who would be waiting for you to come home in anticipation.”
Hugh described Kathleen as a very mature young girl, good-natured, thoughtful and helpful at all times to her family.
Making television programmes about it and newspaper stories is no help to the families.
He said that she is remembered every day by their family, and she is remembered on her birthday, on Christmas, on her anniversary and at family events.
“Kathleen would have pursued her career in nursing, got married and had her own family. Looking after and caring for people is something she loved. Kathleen was a go-to person in our family growing up and very helpful to her mother and father,” said Hugh.
“We, as a family, want the truth to come out as to what happened and why this has taken so long. Making television programmes about it and newspaper stories is no help to the families.”
He concluded: “We’re asking that the truth comes out, and it’s a long time to wait. Let the deceased rest and the families rest.”
George O’Connor
The sister of 17-year-old George O’Connor killed in the Stardust fire told the inquest of how the trauma of her brother’s death caused her to withdraw into herself to the point that she could not be around people if they started talking about him.
“Two things in life change you and you’re never the same: love and grief,” said Donna O’Connor.
“He may be just a body number on the inquest list, but to us he was the first born, a grandson, a big brother, a nephew, a cousin and a loyal friend to those who knew him,” the jury heard.
Donna described George as “a homebody” who was quiet, reserved and not one for going out much.
He was a huge science fiction fan and was always drawing, trying to replicate the spaceships from such comics and films as Star Wars, Star Trek, and War of the Worlds.
“He loved working his job and made some lovely friends, who encouraged him to come out of his shell and start to socialise. Sadly, the first dance he ever went to was also to be his last,” she said.
“My memories over the years have faded to a point where whenever I try to remember, all that comes to mind is George getting ready for the dance, my mam ironing his shirt, him drying his ‘afro’ hairstyle, and me critiquing his outfit and telling him no girl would ask him to dance dressed like he was.”
The same outfit – what was left of it – I had mocked just a few hours before.
Donna said she then headed off to bed that night with not a care in the world, only to be woken by utter chaos. She recalled going with her father and uncles to collect dental records and going into the coroner’s courtroom to identify a clear plastic bag of clothes.
“The same outfit – what was left of it – I had mocked just a few hours before. Then over to the canteen in Busáras to wait for the dental records to be compared,” Donna said.
She said that being a shy and private fifteen-year-old at the time, the trauma she felt caused her to withdraw even further into herself and for a solid ten years she could not be around people if they started talking about George.
“But that is not to say that I, and we, do not think about him and miss him every single day. I wonder how very different all our lives would be if he were still here,” said Donna.
“When meeting new people, the question if I am the eldest always brings out the familiar furrow on my forehead and I never fail to ponder how to answer this question. What to say, I wonder silently. I am or I’m not – yes, or no? Sadly, I was thrust into that unwanted position of ‘eldest’ which was never meant to be my birthright.”
Brendan O’Meara
The jury also heard a pen portrait of Brendan O’Meara, who was 23 when he died in the fire.
The portrait of Brendan, written by his siblings, was presented by his sister, Margaret Smith, who described Brendan as a very handsome young man who was always the best dressed in the family.
“Unfortunately, the Stardust fire robbed us of our wonderful, exceptional, selfless brother,” she said.
“My children were deprived of sharing their lives with their Uncle Brendan and making their own memories with him,” said Margaret.
Margaret also read a pen portrait written by her brother, John, who said Brendan was his “buddy” as well as his brother because there was not much between their ages, and they always maintained a great relationship.
“I miss Brendan very much still. I look at his photos as he was then. He was just 23-years-old when we lost him, and I wonder what he would look like today,” John wrote.
“I look at myself now. I am in my 60s and my hair is grey, and I think to myself that he’d probably look just like me. I still talk to Brendan at his graveside and tell him I will treasure all my memories I have of him.”
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For perspective. Corporation tax was 24.6 billion for all of 2022, 17.5 billion in 2021, 12.3 billion in 2019 and 11.4 billion in 2018 (pre COVID examples)….. the govt is coining it in despite what the headline makes it out!!!!!….. but they’re great because they’re giving the average worker back 2€ a week by reducing the 4.5% USC band to 4%…… thanks lads. Keep the gravy train going!
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: how are the Govt “coining it”? They are on salaries not commission! Plus budget will deliver far far more than €2 a week to those who get up early to work. With all budgets the totality of measures have to be taken in account.
@Peter Barnwallace: Coining it in because they are generating revenue! Revenue to waste all over the shop. They got over double the corporation tax of 2018 last year, which was a bumper take back in 2018. Then there is massive income tax and vat takes as well…… cost of living crisis going on and that 2€ USC reduction a week, or 110€ a year is for someone who is on the “average wage” of 45k. That’s a joke of a reduction. I assume you consider someone on a 45k salary as someone who gets up early to work. Hopefully the tax bands adjustments will deliver more!!!!
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: but you know that The Journal only reports on the bad news. You wouldn’t see it here if there was a rise in tax income in September
Gee whizz, I wonder why they are down. Politicians taking it upon themselves to recklessly donate billions to lost causes is likely one of the reasons. The other is giving recent arrivals everything for free with no end in sight. The sooner these goons are demolished at the next election the better. Untold damage has been done to our fair isle.
Eh…. The opposition is more pro recent arrivals than the government we have???
@P.J. Nolan: shush don’t tell him that
@P.J. Nolan: I’m enjoying the fact the lads who are very anti immigration are also very pro SF. They are going to get a serious land if SF do get into power. I cannot wait for the comments!
@: Sinn Fein are one of the most pro immigration parties around lol.
@: how the fluck can either of those “reasons” have an impact on the amount corporation tax receipts? I’ve seen immigration policy being incorrectly blamed for a lot in this country, but never this.
@SYaxJ2Ts: People will make up anything to suit their own views
It won’t stop them from getting their pay raises, though.
@D F:
Your right, it won’t stop them.
Politicians get their pay rises at the same time and the same percentage increase as every one else in the public sector.
The two have been linked for over a decade.
@P.J. Nolan: they shouldn’t be linked though
This is nothing to do with this article so I am taking this opportunity to let off steam. Heard on the radio that social welfare payments are going up 12 euro. I work 12 hour shifts in a ED health service and get 15PH. Not complaining about working or my job as I love it, however I work my socks off to get paid. Cost of living is self made because of back handers and greed. Some people with no fault of there own can’t work and its great that they benefit, however there are those who can but will not work preferring to work for cash into the hand, get free housing, medical card, handouts from charities while going on holidays and driving very nice cars. Does not make sense….Stating the obvious, so here it is…MAJOR change is needed for this country.
@: you forgot to mention get free housing in city center and selling drug and bike
@: sure go on the dole yourself and you can post on here about all the holidays and new cars you can afford off 200 quid a week. I can guarantee you if someone’s on the dole having multiple holidays and new cars they are working either under the table or engaged in commerce that the state doesn’t allow
Ukrainian refugees still getting an extra 1b euros from this budget on top of 5.4b last year,we’re a great country for foreigners
@Billy Power: Irish can emigrate to US or Australia for a future only thing is they don’t hand out houses and social welfare you’ll have to work or leave and no money on arrival you’ve to have 5000 in you’re account other way round here
Inflation is making the country richer by making the people poorer. We pay those profits.
They’re all for low wages subsidising low costs, when companies should have lower profits to subside low costs.
And if barristers are striking for better wages well good luck to the ordinary workers!
@9QRixo8H: the tds and civil servants despite being linked to the public service for pay risesfor over a decade had the fempi legislation unwound faster than the others and the barristers are just looking for theirs to be restored how many years later
Right, interesting timing – but a surplus is still a surplus
‘Income tax receipts were up 8.2% annually to €23.1 billion’
That is up 1.89 Billion Euro.
They propose to reduce tax rates by if I am right by about 1 billion.
This proves, that no matter what they say, the income taxpayer is always getting screwed for more.
@Donal Ronan: Jesus. That’s some next level shite I have just seen. Need to have a sit down after reading that. People on here love to moan. If they announced “we’re giving a million quid to everybody” you’d be on here moaning “who’s paying for that”.
@Donal Ronan: for the record income tax levels rise when employment rises or when the wage levels of those in employment rise. It isn’t that a million people decided to off their own backs to pay 1.8bn more and the government were like sound lads here s a billion back. Like income tax receipts rising is a good thing, it shows the strength of the employment market and here you are having a moan. Jesus Christ give me f.cking strength.
@: how do you work out they are taxing us more and more you complete moron? They are raising tax credits, raising higher rate bands and expanding tax bases. Of course you’d actually have to understand finance to get we are being taxed less. In my opinion it should still be a lot less. But they certainly are not taxing us more you utter imbecile. Because people make higher wages and more people are working than ever before we are taking a higher tax take, but they are not “taxing us more”. Honestly it’s like foundation maths around here.
@: and for the record iv never voted ff or ff in my life. Funny how you think my ability to add 2 + 2 makes me vote for FF and FG. I’m guessing you vote SF since you cannot add 2 + 2? I don’t vote for any of the 3 big parties as two are corrupt and the other have absolutely woeful representatives, too close to criminals, are incredibly populist and have an absolute moronic following (congrats you fall in that category).
@Journal Commenter: 23 Feb 2023 — There were an additional 68,600 people at work at the end of last year compared with the final quarter of 2021 as the economy continued its post …from the Irish Independent.
Now they must all have been on a salary of over €200,000 or slice the figures another way, most of the people that pay tax paid an extra €1000 each. Remember, a lot of people don’t pay tax, so it would be higher again. So no matter what you say the taxpayer is getting screwed for more and more.
An interesting thing happened some time back. Some Minister in his wisdom not, decided that they would stop breaking down the percentage of tax paid by different groups. Now we don’t get to see if the self employed or farmers etc. are paying their fair share.
@Donal Ronan: self employed are paying the exact same as everyone else only without any of the perks paye workers earn. Only difference is we have to pay usc and PRSI all in one go.
@Martin Mongan: Have you forgotten the statement by the late Brian Lenihan. One of the real gains behind the introduction of USC, was that it would catch everything. Enough said.
@Journal Commenter: in fairness they probably owe everyone a million each. :))
Another reason why Inheritance Bands will not be adjusted as promised by FF/FG/Greens.
Over reliance on FDI’s always means our tax take is at the mercy of outside forces sadly
@Tom Newell: corporations tax has always been, and will always be volatile. And it is always at the mercy of outside forces. Unless of course you are suggesting we as a country can decide what exact profit each of the companies that operate here make? Exactly…
corporations front loading future profits at the lower tax rate before the new OECD common tax rate comes into effect next year. wait until companies will have to pay the corporation tax at the point of sale as opposed to washing it through the books to ireland. then you will see the ar$e fall out of the receipts. you can thanks pascal for that in the years to come.
“the volatility in this tax head”.
What on earth is a tax head?
@Max: a tax type, such as VAT, Corp Tax, Income Tax etc. Finance speak – it’s like a cult
And that’s why you can’t have nice things, now feck OFF!
The old age pensioners are lying in wait for this crowd and they’ll get a big awakening if all they give is €12 a week, with the rate of inflation since the last budget hammering pensioners more than any other group.
@Gerry Ryan: probably why they also got other increases too
Ireland relies heavily of foreign direct investment (FDI), which means foreign companies setting up in Ireland and employing people who then get an income and pay income tax and VAT on their spending of that income and the company also pays VAT and corporate tax on its own expenditure and corporate tax on its profits. This all adds into the governments income to pay public’s sector workers and social welfare
Ireland needs FDI – ironically the political parties and their constituents who most need FDI to get their income are the ones who will scare them off.
Populist economics ends in misery and that appears where Ireland is headed.
The devil is in the detail. The elite have known for years that the leprechaun economic merry-go-round was winding down. Ireland has been spinning on a handful of US sugar daddies which explains why Micheal Martin and sidekick is running around the globe at their behest feathering a new nest for themselves when this lickars strategy is unveiled as pig manure. We thought the US companies were like bitcoin and free money but not even free money could give people a humble home nor house the homeless or even build a hospital for kids. Someone better come up with a new idea to sell. Fast.
Two con men if I ever seen em..
Sick of the sight of them .
Dip into the apple money
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