A Stardust survivor is to contest the next general election and challenge sitting TDs Seán Haughey, Ivor Callely, Richard Bruton and Finian McGrath in the intensely contested constituency of Dublin North Central.
Antoinette Keegan, spokeswoman for the Stardust Victims Committee, yesterday announced her plans to stand in the Dublin North Central constituency, which will change from a four-seater to a three-seater at the next general election.
Up to 12 people are now expected to contest the three seats.
Ms Keegan's decision to seek election as an independent candidate is the latest step in the bereaved families' campaign for a renewed inquiry into the Stardust disaster in which 48 young people died.
Last night Ms Keegan said she had been encouraged by several people in recent days to announce her candidacy because she could command votes in areas such as Coolock, Artane and Donnycarney.
"The government has been ignoring us for 25 years, and now I am going to bring my fight from the outside to the inside. No one has ever represented the 48 families. We have never had a voice inside the government," said Ms Keegan.
Independent TD Finian Mc Grath said her candidacy could split the independent vote, but he would be calling on his supporters to give Ms Keegan their second-preference vote.
The announcement by Ms Keegan came on the seventh day of protests by bereaved families, survivors and locals outside the newly refurbished Silver Swan pub, which is due to open on the site of the Stardust nightclub.
The licence for the bar was transferred into the name of Patrick Butterly and Sons Ltd in November last year in Dublin District Court.
Protesters are aggrieved by the fact that the new bar, which replaces Skelley's bar, was given the name of the Silver Swan, the original name of the bar adjoining the Stardust nightclub.