Who were the 48 Stardust nightclub fire victims? Remembering the young people ... trends now
The deaths of 48 people in the worst fire in the history of Ireland were today ruled by a jury as unlawful killing.
The devastating blaze broke out at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, in the early hours of Valentine's Day 1981.
The club was packed with around 800 people before tragedy struck, claiming the lives of a staggering 48, and injuring over 200.
Immediately following the fire, an inquiry found that the likely cause of the fire was arson on account of someone setting light to a chair near the venue's ballroom - a move that appeared to blame the fire on those that had attended the disco on the fateful night.
However, the ruling was dismissed in 2009 and a victims' committee worked relentlessly to get a renewed inquiry into the cause of the inferno.
Today, after a 43-year-long wait, a verdict of unlawful killing was returned by the jury - with the jury foreman saying it had reached the same verdict into the deaths of each individual.
The MailOnline has remembered all 48 victims, most of whom were just teenagers; here are their stories.
All 48 victims of the Stardust nightclub inferno on Valentine's Day in 1981 were unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled, with relatives sobbing with relief
Pictured: The interior of the nightclub is seen in 1981 in the aftermath of the devastating fire
The devastating blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, north Dublin, broke out in the early hours of Valentine's Day 1981, killing 48 people
Today, after a 43-year-long wait, a verdict of unlawful killing was returned by the jury - with the jury foreman saying it had reached the same verdict into the deaths of each individual
Families have been waiting for over four decades for answers
Relatives of victims who were among the 48 victims of the Stardust nightclub fire on Valentine's day in 1981, hold their pictures outside Leinster House in Dublin on the 37th anniversary of the tragedy. On Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Michael Barrett (17) from Raheny, Dublin
Barrett was a popular young man with a 'wicked sense of humour'
Barrett was an apprentice plumber working in Stardust on the night of the fire.
He had been assisting on the DJ set with his pal Colm O'Brien.
At Thursday's inquest, his mother Gertrude said he was a popular young man with a 'wicked sense of humour and loved cracking jokes and playing pranks'.
Richard Bennett (17) from Coolock, Dublin
Bennett had reportedly been looking forward to a dance competition taking place at the nightclub that night
The horse and dance lover was the eldest of four siblings, and was described as a 'father figure' to them.
He had reportedly been looking forward to a dance competition taking place at the nightclub that night, and it was revealed he was initially not allowed entry due to the lack of a tie.
The inquest heard that someone had handed him one at the door which led to him being granted access into the venue.
Singer Christy Moore previously spoke on behalf of his family, saying said they were 'still searching for answers' after four decades.
Carol Bissett (18) from Ringsend, Dublin
Bissett's sister Liz read a tragic poem dedicated to Bissett during the inquest
The Girl Guides and choir member was the second eldest of five children, before her life was taken at Stardust nightclub.
Her sister Liz read a tragic poem dedicated to Bissett during the inquest.
One line read: 'My memories then are filled with Mam and minding her as best I can, To stop her crying over the child she lost, I had to help her bear her cross.'
James Buckley (23) from Donnycarney, Dublin
Buckley had recently won a competition for his Elvis Presley impression
The passionate hurler was 'funny and witty and the life and soul of every party,' the inquest heard.
Buckley had recently won a competition for his Elvis Presley impression before he died in the blaze.
His brother Errol revealed he had won a dance competition on the night of the Stardust fire, and James had gone back inside to look after him.
Paula Byrne (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Byrne's schoolbooks would often be filled with drawings and doodles, it was revealed at the inquest
According to her devastated siblings, Byrne was 'very much a people person. She loved her friends and family and was loyal and devoted to both'.
She loved fashion and the arts, and her schoolbooks would often be filled with drawings and doodles, it was revealed.
They said one word that summed up Paula would be 'kindness'.
Caroline Carey (17) from Coolock, Dublin
Carey was expecting a baby before she died in the Stardust blaze
Carey's sister Maria heartbreakingly revealed that three weeks before her sister's death, she had told her family she was expecting a baby.
Maria said: 'Forty years ago, teenage pregnancy was a taboo subject.
'My parents were devastated at the news but put their arms around her and assured her everything would be fine'.
Carey was also a talented Irish dancer and member of her parish choir.
John Colgan (21) from Swords, Co Dublin
Colgan 'was always upbeat, looking forward to every day,' according to his brother
Colgan was part of his father's painting and decorating business and enjoyed playing the guitar.
His sister Susan Behan said her brother was looking forward to becoming an uncle, as she was pregnant when he died.
'He was always upbeat, looking forward to every day,' she said.
Jacqueline Croker (19) Kilmore West, Dublin
Croker was the eldest child in her family after her parents lost two children
Croker, also known as Jackie, was the eldest child in her family after her parents tragically lost two other children who had died as infants.
Her sister Alison Keane recalled the night of the fire, saying: 'My sister Jackie just went out to play darts and then decided to go to the Stardust to see how Paula was doing with the rest of her friends and she died.'
Liam Dunne (18) Coolock, Dublin
Dunne was dashed to hospital after the fire and died on March 11, 1981
The record-loving Dunne was hospitalised following the fire.
His sister Siobhán described the upset of seeing him in the Mater, as well as knowing that so many of their friends were there.
He died on March 11 that year.
Siobhán said: 'I died also. I was 16 and the pain of that sadness has never left me.'
Michael Farrell (26) from Coolock, Dublin
Farrell was dating Thelma Frazer who was also killed in the Stardust fire
Farrell had a job at Cadbury, and 'loved pay day' - where he would give his mother what he called her 'wages' and then treat himself to clothes or afershave.
Michael was dating Thelma Frazer who was also killed in the Stardust fire.
David Flood (18) from Beaumont, Dublin
Flood's nephew noted that his own parents were supposed to go to Stardust that evening too, but they ended up not going
Flood's nephew Ciarán said his uncle was a 'bit of a rocker, mad into The Rolling Stones'.
Ciarán noted that his own parents were supposed to go to Stardust that evening too, but they ended up not going.
'I inherited Dave's records and, as I listened to them, I wished that I had gotten to know my uncle before his life was cut short.'
Thelma Frazer (20) Sandymount, Dublin
Frazer died alongside her boyfriend Michael Farrell
Frazer tragically died alongside her boyfriend Michael Farrell.
She 'excelled' in her studies and loved sports, music, and dancing.
Her sister Barbara said: 'A few months before Thelma was killed, she won some money and she went straight out and bought presents for us younger children.'
Michael Ffrench (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Ffrench was dubbed a 'legend' by his younger siblings
'Michael was a legend. He was our big brother and our rock,' said his family in their tribute to the young man nicknamed 'Horsey'.
The family suffered an agonising 25-year wait for DNA confirmation that Ffrench had died in the Stardust fire.
Josephine Glen (16) from Coolock, Dublin
Glen was hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation. She died on February 19, 1981
Glen was her mother's 'right hand' and contributed the majority of her wages to her household.
She was hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation and her sister Sheena recalled their mother praying and 'pleading with God not to take her from us'.
Her life support machine was switched off on February 19, 1981.
Michael Griffiths (17) Kilmore, Dublin
Griffiths 'was someone you could look up to' according to his brother Paul
A Tottenham Hotspur fan, Griffiths was the eldest of five siblings.
His brother Paul said: 'He was someone you could rely on and look up to.
'He loved family occasions like birthdays, and when younger would always be first to drag us out of bed on Christmas morning to get the day started.'
Robert Hillick (20) from Twinbrook, Belfast
Hillick, from Belfast, had gone to Dublin to work on a building site
One of the few victims who was not originally from Dublin, Hillick grew up in Belfast with his mother and older brother Bill, who has since passed away.
He had gone to Dublin to work on a building site.
Brian Hobbs (21) from Whitehall, Dublin
Hobbs' sister Pat told the inquest he was supposed to be working the night of the fire but his 'boss relented at the last minute'
Hobbs was the youngest of seven children and attended catering college before going on to win a gold medal when he represented Ireland in his catering section on 'Wine Waiting'.
His sister Pat told the inquest he was supposed to be working the night of the fire but his 'boss relented at the last minute'.
The family only found out later that he had gotten a taxi to the nightclub.
Eugene Hogan (24) from Artane, Dublin
Hogan was married and had two children, and his family had been due to move to Kerry on February 15
Hogan was one of nine children, and his family revealed he hated his name so much he changed it to Hughie.
He was married and had two children, and his family had been due to move to Kerry on February 15.
Murtagh Kavanagh (27) from Coolock, Dublin
Kavanagh's sister Terry Jones, said the family initially assumed he was staying overnight at a friend's house on the night of the blaze
Kavanagh, known by friends and family as 'Murty' was a lover of music, football, fishing and cooking.
His sister, Terry Jones, revealed how the family initially assumed he was staying overnight at a friend's house on the night of the blaze.
Martina Keegan (16) Coolock, Dublin
Keegan had brought a Valentine's card for her boyfriend to the nightclub with her
Keegan was killed in the nightclub fire, alongside her friend Mary Kenny and boyfriend David Morton.
Her sister Lorraine Keegan said she was a 'real-life lookalike of Marilyn Monroe' and everyone assumed she would become a model.
Keegan had brought a Valentine's card for her boyfriend to the nightclub with her.
Mary Keegan (19) from Coolock, Dublin
Keegan was the eldest of five children. Her sister Martina also died in the fire
As the eldest of five children, Keegan's brother Damien told the inquest 'she was not only our big sister, but she was also a best friend to us all and would keep our secrets of mischief'.
Robert Kelly (17) from Raheny, Dublin
Kelly was described as the 'apple of his mother's eye'
Kelly and his brother Eugene worked ships and Kelly was set to be working the week of the fire.
But the ship went into dry dock which gave Kelly the opportunity to visit Stardust nightclub.
Eugene's daughter
