Justice Department Promotes Stardust Payment Scheme to UK Residents, 425 Applications Received

The Department of Justice is collaborating with the Irish Embassy in London to promote its Stardust payment scheme, aiming to reach potential applicants who may now reside in the United Kingdom. This initiative coincides with the launch of an awareness campaign in Ireland this week.

The scheme, established last February, offers €20,000 to survivors of the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin, which occurred on St. Valentine's night and resulted in 48 fatalities. This payment is intended to compensate for «delays in providing truth and justice». Eligibility extends to all survivors who previously received payments from the original 1985 Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal.

A total of 823 individuals received compensation from the 1985 tribunal, indicating a potential maximum cost of €16.4 million for the current financial package. Officials have reported a «positive response» thus far, with 425 applications already submitted. However, some survivors have criticized the package, citing a lack of consultation during its announcement and expressing disappointment that a flat rate payment was offered instead of a promised sliding scale.

Notices for the scheme will be published in newspapers, and posters will be distributed in areas surrounding the former Artane site and in Dublin communities including Dublin 5, 9, and 13. The application closing date is August 17.