Stardust fire victim's father was haunted by tragedy

Image caption, James Millar, better known as Jim, had been encouraged to settle in Dublin by his father, to get away from the Troubles, the inquest heard
At a glance
  • James Millar was among 48 people who died following the fire at the Stardust nightclub on 14 February, 1981
  • The inquest has heard from Laura Millar, the sister of James Millar
  • Laura said her father had encouraged his son to live in Dublin away from the Troubles in Northern Ireland
  • Author, Shane Harrison
  • Role, 大象传媒 News NI Dublin Correspondent

The sister of one of the victims of the Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin has said her father was haunted by the tragedy.

The blaze at the nightclub in Artane on 14 February 1981, claimed the lives of 48 people.

Laura Millar, the last surviving member of her family, said her brother James Millar, 21, from Twinbrook in west Belfast was her best friend, a loving son, brother and uncle.

Laura said her father had encouraged James, better known as Jim, to settle in Dublin and away from the Troubles after years travelling the world in the Merchant Navy.

That decision, she added, haunted her father who blamed himself for his son鈥檚 death.

She told the inquest that Jim had a fianc茅e, Marion, and they had planned to buy a house together.

She said that she and a friend from Belfast had planned to join Jim at a dancing competition in the nightclub on St Valentine鈥檚 night but they did not go.

She said that after the Stardust fire, Marion had contacted the family to say there was nothing to worry about because Jim had told her he was not going to go to the nightclub.

However, Marion was wrong.

Laura Millar indicated that her father was heart-broken after learning of his son's death.

Image caption, Laura Millar attended the inquest with her son David Bennett

鈥淢y dad got told on his own at home by the police at about 6 o鈥檆lock in the evening of Saturday night," she said.

"We were told his cry could be heard all over the estate."

An emotional Ms Millar then told the inquest a poignant story of a row Jim and his younger brother Martin, who is now dead, had the last time they saw each other, at Christmas.

"We found out later that he [Martin] and Jim got into a silly argument and as Jim went out of the door, Martin yelled 鈥業 wish you were dead'.

"He was only 12 years old, but he closed himself up and it was weeks before we learned what had taken place.

"Martin was another one - as well as my dad - who blamed himself and up to his death last year, he never got over it.

"Well, none of us got over it. You can鈥檛.鈥

Ms Millar concluded by saying justice for the families has been a long time coming.

Image caption, The blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin in 1981 claimed the lives of 48 people