Darragh Mackin

An inquest jury ruled in April 2024 that the victims of the 1981 nightclub fire were unlawfully killed. The government subsequently appointed Sara Moorehead SC to negotiate with families on the introduction of a redress scheme.

Phoenix Law’s Darragh Mackin, Harry Robinson, Diarmuid Brecknell and Colm Dore negotiated on behalf of 47 of the 48 families, with the remaining family represented by Dublin solicitor Tom Brabazon.

Mr Mackin, a partner in Belfast-based Phoenix Law, said: “Today’s development is the crystallisation of the intense and relentless engagement with the government and Sara Moorehead SC over the last number of months.

“The unprecedented sum paid to the families is reflective of the unprecedented miscarriage of justice bestowed on these families.

“It is impossible to put a value on the loss these families have sustained.

“However, these payments go a considerable way to providing support to these families for all their relentless efforts and life investment, which they so courageously devoted over the last four decades.”

The €24 million sum represents a payment of €500,000 for each victim.