Sinn Féin MEP de Brún resigns

Sinn Féin Northern Ireland MEP Bairbre de Brún has resigned for personal reasons, it was confirmed today.

Ms de Brún (58) was the first Sinn Féin member to represent the North in the European Parliament following her success in the 2004 European elections.

She went on to top the poll in 2009, the first time her party headed the poll in the European elections in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin confirmed that Ms de Brún has submitted her resignation to the European Parliament but would remain a member of the party.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the party would hold a convention shortly to select a new MEP.

“I have worked closely with Bairbre for over 30 years in the leadership of Sinn Féin. She has served diligently and effectively in a variety of roles including head of our International Department, a Good Friday Agreement negotiator, an MLA for west Belfast, a Minister in the Executive and latterly as MEP for the six counties. She topped the poll in the 2009 European elections," he said.

“I thank Bairbre for her work over many years and for her friendship and look forward to working with her in the future. Republicans everywhere I am sure will join me in extending best wishes," he added.

From Terenure in Dublin, Ms de Brún is a teacher by profession. A fluent Irish speaker and an expert in human rights and equality issues, she has served as a member of the party's ard chomhairle and also as an MLA in the Northern Executive where she was Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.