The jurors in the Stardust Inquest have returned verdicts of 'unlawful killing' for all victims.

In the early hours of Valentine's Day 1981, 800 people attended the Stardust Ballroom in Artane when a fire broke out.

Forty-eight young people, aged between 16 and 27, all died from smoke inhalation, fire fumes and burns.

The jury has said the fire started in the hot press in the dispense bar and was due to an electrical fault.

Stardust campaigner Antoinette Keegan at the Stardust anniversary memorial at Kilmore Road. Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Verdicts were announced this afternoon as families and friends of those who died gathered at the Dublin Coroner's Court.

It was a moment 43 years in the making.

Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Antoinette Keegan, who survived the fire but lost two of her sisters, said families should have recieved justice sooner.

"[It's] a day that I've waited a long, long time for," she said.

"All the families have waited a long, long time for this; to hear it in the court, unlawful killing, it's huge day for the 48 victims.

"Their right to life was taken away and now they have their identity back."

The jurors had five possible verdicts open to them which were accidental death, death by misadventure, unlawful killing, an open verdict or a narrative verdict.

These were the longest inquests in the history of the State.

More follows

Main image: Families and friends of those who died gathered outside the Dublin Coroner's Court for the Stardust verdicts, 18-4-24. Image: Stephanie Rohan