CAMPAIGNERS battling to bring justice for those impacted by the Summerland fire disaster on the Isle of Man more than 50 years ago, which claimed the lives of two young Warrington men, are to have their day in court.
Campaigners, including former Mayor of Warrington Mike Hannon, have been pressing the Isle of Man Government to overturn a death by misadventure verdict and deliver justice for all affected when 50 holidaymakers were killed in the Summerland fire on the Isle of Man in 1973. Some 80 others were seriously injured.
Two young men from Warrington were among those who perished when the blaze swept through the five-storey Summerland leisure centre on the seafront at Douglas. They were Alan Barker, aged 20, from Woolston and Sean Kelly, 21, from Fearnhead. A memorial to the victims of the tragic fire at the Summerland amusement park in 1973, was unveiled in 2013, 40-years after the tragedy.
Former Mayor Mike, who was also deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council, knew both Alan and Sean very well, and he worked with Sean as apprentice bricklayers. They also used to go the local disco together.
He has been urging people to come forward to support the campaign.
Announcing the decision on their fundraising campaign page the Summerland action group posted:
“After many months of legal discussions between our team of solicitors and the Isle of Man Attorney General we have finally broken through the barriers that were put in our way!
“The Attorney General’s attempts to stop us reaching the court to appeal his decision not to open a new inquiry have been removed and we will have our day in court!
“ON WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY & THURSDAY 21st MAY 2026 OUR PETITION OF DOLEANCE WILL BE HEARD.
“On the Isle of Man a judicial review is called a Petition of Doleance. Put simply, we are asking the court to decide whether the Attorney General was wrong when he denied our request for a new inquiry into this avoidable disaster which took 50 lives. We strongly believe that he was very much wrong and are determined to prove it. Our fabulous legal team stand ready to advocate on our behalf and we are grateful to them for all their expertise and confidence.
“Now that we have got this far, we are totally focused on the next stage of our campaign – keeping the spotlight on the systematic failings that enabled the Summerland disaster to happen. To do this we will be continuing our work with our media and political networks. We will, of course, update you with significant achievements as they happen.
“This progress is a direct result of the financial support that you have already so very generously given. We are deeply thankful for your continued support. Our current fundraising efforts will be concentrated on ensuring that we can afford our court days. Our funds are running out, and we are actively looking for new supporters. Please, please continue to support our campaign in any way you can: spread the word, organise a fundraising event or share this campaign page across all your social media.
“If you would like to speak to a member of the team privately, please get in touch at JusticeforSummerland@gmail.com
Campaign funds currently stand at over £13,000. Donations can be made at https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/summerland50/
