Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan has pulled out of the general election race due to ill-health, it was confirmed today.
And in a shock move, the former independent candidate has joined Fine Gael and plans to put herself forward for the local elections in 2009.
Ms Keegan, 44, who recently underwent a series of operations, had been advised to withdraw from the election for the Dublin North Central constituency by her doctors.
But instead, she has been out canvassing with Brody Sweeney (Fine Gael) who is hoping to get the votes in Dublin North East.
Ms Keegan, who lost two sisters in the 1981 Stardust nightclub blaze, has also spoken out in support of Independent Finian McGrath and Labour's Tommy Broghan who have backed the families' calls for a new inquiry into the inferno.
"I am very disappointed," said Ms Keegan, whose teenage son is about to sit the Junior Certificate.
"But my health has to be my priority and I hope I have a lot to live for.
"I spent a lot of time last year protesting for the Stardust victims and I want to be there for my son this year.
"But I will run in the local elections next time. I think I have a lot to offer local people as a public representative."
Ms Keegan, of the Stardust Survivors Committee, was to the fore in having investigations into the blaze which claimed 48 young lives re-examined.
The Government recently appointed John Gallagher SC, one of the leading barristers in the state, to also study reports submitted by survivors and independent experts.
Ms Keegan said her ill-health relates to stress from the campaign, but did not want to reveal the exact ailment.