An independent report into the Stardust Tragedy has concluded that no new inquiry is warranted.
The fire claimed the lives of 48 people at an Artane nightclub in north Dublin in February 1981.
Earlier this year, retired Judge Pat McCartan was asked to examine evidence uncovered by the victims families.
Today a statement says that having considered the two previous independent reports and all material made available to Judge McCartan, he has concluded that a new inquiry is not warranted.
The report has been given to the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee.
Minister Flanagan stated:
“I would like to express my appreciation to Judge McCartan for his work on this report. The judge was nominated by the relatives as a person they trusted and I am grateful to him for his willingness to undertake this important public service.
“The Stardust Fire was undoubtedly one of the greatest tragedies in the history of this country and the Government considered it important to assess all available evidence, including any new material that may have come to light. Having carefully considered the two previous independent reports on the tragedy and considered all material made available to him, Judge McCartan concluded that no further new enquiry is warranted.
“I want to acknowledge the terrible pain and loss of the relatives of the victims and the fact that the report does not come to the conclusion that they would have wished for. This report by Judge McCartan is the third independent assessment of the available evidence and, while I understand that the pain of the relatives is compounded by the failure to discover the cause of the fire, this report concludes that no new enquiry is warranted.”
