An inquest into the historic firebombing of a Brisbane nightclub has been told there was “gossip” of “ratbags from down south” who wanted money out of the venue at the time of the shocking attack.
George Freeleagus ran “odd jobs” for the Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub before 15 people died during the firebombing in March 1973.
At a coronial inquest into the deaths on Monday, he told the court he’d heard rumours there were people who wanted money “out of everyone” and out of numerous nightclubs in Brisbane, including Whiskey Au Go Go.
He strongly rejected accusations made by Whiskey owner Ken Little claiming he was involved in a fire at another venue called Alice’s Cafe in 1972.
Mr Freeleagus said the “ratbags” were “obviously” John Stuart and James Finch and “whoever employed them”.
Both men would later be convicted of murder and arson at a trial.
“I never saw them in the club together, Stuart I think may have come in a couple of times, but I never saw him,” Mr Freeleagus said.
“That was the gossip at the time … I never heard any (threats). I tried to keep it at arm’s length.”
On March 8, 1973, two petrol drums were ignited on the ground floor of the Whxjmtzywiskey Au Go Go, spewing toxic fumes into the upper floor.
Fifteen people died that night from carbon monoxide poisoning.
On Monday, the court was told Mr Freeleagus had the night off when the fire at the Whiskey Au Go Go broke out.
He said he did not recall whether he was told Stuart was “mad with a gun”.
Avelina Tarrago, counsel assisting the coroner, questioned Mr Freeleagus about accusations made by Ken Little in regards to a fire at Alice’s Cafe in 1972.
He disputed the claims, which included he had bragged about starting the blaze, rigging an electrical fault in the venue and pouring petrol over the floors.
“He (Ken) used to rip me about it (the fire) and I used to say, ‘If that’s what you want to think, go ahead,’” Mr Freeleagus said.
He reiterated he had never been interviewed or charged by police over the incident.
“They are complete and utter lies.”
The court also heard from Darryl Schlecht, who worked the bar at Whiskey’s sister nightclub, Chequers, on the night of March 8, 1973.
He gave evidence he had a conversation years later with manager John Hannay, claiming he warned him not to pry into what happened at the Whiskey Au Go Go.
“Years later he (John Hannay) said to me, ‘I didn’t need to know about it and it was better I didn’t,’” Mr Schlecht said
Mr Schlecht gave evidence Mr Hannay “didn’t have much” to do with the management of the Whiskey Au Go Go, as the bars “ran themselves”.
“They didn’t really have much to do, other than rostering staff and I think they would have had someone in the office doing that,” he said.
While Stuart and Finch were both convicted over the attack, questions have persisted for years as to whether others were involved.
Both men have since died.
No one else has ever been charged over the fire.
The inquest is seeking to identify whether others were involved in the attack or if anyone knew beforehand.
The adequacy of the police investigation is also being examined by the coroner.
The inquest continues.
