‘I am so honoured to be here with you today to mark the 43rd anniversary of that dreadful night’
The former RTE broadcaster, who’s affected by motor neurone illness, was talking at an occasion to mark forty third anniversary of the fireplace on the north Dublin nightclub which claimed the lives of 48 folks on Valentine’s Day, 1981.
A big crowd turned out on the occasion which took place in Artane right now.
Mr Bird, who has been supporting the households’ marketing campaign for justice for many years, additionally mentioned he hopes the continuing inquest into the fireplace lastly will get to the reality.
Families and supporters gather for the Stardust anniversary
“I am so honoured to be here with you today to mark the 43rd anniversary of that dreadful night,” he said. “You are amazing families that campaigned so hard to find the truth of what really happened
“If the Stardust tragedy happened in south Dublin the families would not have had to wait over 40 years to get to the truth.
“I am now hoping that the current inquest will finally get the truth
“I love you all. You are all true heroes.”
Survivor Antoinette Keegan, who lost sisters Martina (16) and Mary (19) in the horrific tragedy, had earlier thanked Mr Bird during a speech at the event.
“We are honoured here today to have Charlie Bird present. Charlie has always been a great supporter of us families over the years. We thank Charlie and [his wife] Claire so much for travelling from Wicklow to be present with us.
“Charlie Bird you are our hero. Thank you so much for everything.”
The crowd heard that Mr Bird had been a staunch supporter of the families for decades and would attend every meeting organised by the families in their campaign for justice.
Ms Keegan also thanked the many others who had supported the families including members of the legal professions and Dublin Fire Brigade who formed a close bond with the families over the years. The Brigade’s pipe band performed on the vigil.
A brand new inquest into the tragedy bought underway final yr and heard proof from its last witness this week.
The chief fireplace officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, Dennis Keeley, was the final witness to provide proof on the inquest when he appeared on Wednesday.
He instructed the jury that he believes a rise within the variety of fireplace stations and firefighters in Dublin since 1981 was a direct results of the fireplace.
He was the final of 190 witnesses to provide proof on the inquest forward of closing submissions.
Earlier this month the inquest heard from Martin Davidson, an knowledgeable witness and a senior fireplace engineer, who mentioned that locking or obstructing exits on the venue contributed to delays in folks getting out and to the lack of life within the fireplace.
Antoinette Keegan gave proof on the inquest final October when she instructed the jury: “My last words I ever remember saying in there before I lost consciousness was: ‘Oh god help us’.”
