A crowd of 200 people gathered outside Ahern's constituency office in Drumcondra, accusing the government of ignoring new evidence that they claim contradicts the findings of the original inquiry into the disaster.

According to Antoinette Keegan, spokeswoman for the families, new evidence casts doubt on the original verdict that the cause of the fire was probable arson. Keegan, who lost her sisters Mary and Martina in the fire, has accused the government of not taking their calls for a new inquiry seriously.

Ahern stated last week that he had attempted to arrange a meeting with the families on three occasions. However, Keegan denies this, saying that one attempt was made to organise a meeting but that the date was not suitable for representatives of the families.

"We will be very pleased to sit down and meet with Bertie Ahern, but not if he is just interested in giving us tea and sympathy, " said Keegan. "We are demanding a new inquiry into the Stardust fire, to finally find out why 48 people died."

Families of the Stardust victims have been holding protests on the site of the tragedy every night for almost three weeks, following the announcement that the Butterly family, who owned the Stardust complex, intend to re-open a bar on the premises.

The newly refurbished Silver Swan pub . . . named after the pub which stood beside the Stardust disco on the night of the fire . . . was initially scheduled to open on Valentine's Night, the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. However, the bar has yet to open and Keegan has claimed that the Butterly family have applied to the courts to have the licence transferred out of their name.

Yesterday's protest was attended by Independent TD Finian McGrath, who added his voice to those calling for a fresh inquiry.

"We have had inquries and tribunals in this country over recent years looking into issues such as planning corruption, but here we have a situation where 48 young people died and over 200 were left seriously maimed, yet the government is not interested, " he said.

McGrath claimed that the families had "massive support" throughout both Dublin and Ireland for their demands.

He also said that the Silver Swan pub should not be allowed to reopen.

Local Sinn Fein councillors Larry O'Toole and Dessie Ellis also attended the protest.

Labelling the original inquiry "a whitewash", O'Toole urged the families to continue highlighting the issue until the government responded with the establishment of a fresh inquiry into what took place in the Stardust nightclub.

"There is massive momentum behind this campaign at the moment and it is vital that we keep up the pressure on the government until this inquiry is established, " he said.