I'd just like to take a moment to remember the 48 victims of the Stardust fire which took place 27 years ago tonight, Friday 13th Feb 1981 into the morning of Saturday 14th February.
I don't think anyone ever paid a proper penalty for their part in the disaster, but the again it was North County Dublin in the height of the Charlie Haughey era. Justice is often thin on the ground in Ireland.
Christy Moore had a song called "They never came home" which landed him with being charged with contempt of court at the time.
Anyway here's the lyrics of the song.
Now St. Valentine's Day comes around once a year,
our thoughts turn to love as the time it draws near;
when sweethearts and darlings, husbands and wives,
pledge love and devotion for the rest of their lives.
As the day turns to evening soon nightime does fall,
young people get ready for the Valentine's Ball.
As the night rings with laughter some families still mourn
the forty eight children who never came home.
Have we forgotten the suff'ring and pain
of the survivors and the victims of the fire in Artaine;
the mothers & fathers forever to mourn
the forty eight children who never came home.
Well t'was down to the Stardust they all made their way,
the bouncers looked on as they lined up to pay;
The records were spinning there was dancin as well,
just how the fire started sure no one can tell.
In a matter of seconds confusin did rain,
the room was in darkness, fire exits were chained.
The firefighters wept for they could not hide
their sorrow and anger for those left inside
Have we forgotten the suff'ring and pain
of the survivors and the victims of the fire in Artaine
the mothers & fathers forever to mourn
the forty eight children who never came home.
Throughout the city the bad news had spread -
"there's a fire in the Stardust, with forty eight dead.
Hundreds of children are injured and maimed,
and all just because the fire exits were chained".
Our leaders were shocked, grim statements were made
they shed tears by the graves as the bodies were laid.
The injured have waited in vain for four years,
it seems like our leaders shed crocodile tears.
Have we forgotten the suff'ring and pain
of the survivors and the victims of the fire in Artaine
the mothers & fathers forever to mourn
the forty eight children who never came home.
Half a million was paid in solicitors fees
a fortune for the owner and his family;
it's hard to believe that not one penny came
to the working class people who suffered the pain.
The days turned to weeks, and the weeks turned to years -
our laws favour the rich, or so it appears.
A mother still waits for her kids to come home;
injustice breeds anger, that's what's been done.
Let us remember the suff'ring and pain
of the survivors and the victims of the fire in Artaine.
The mothers & fathers forever to mourn
the forty eight children who never came home.
