Sinn Féin Northern Ireland MEP Bairbre de Brún has resigned from the European Parliament for personal reasons.
Ms de Brún (58) was the first Sinn Féin member to represent the North in the 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. She was the only candidate to reach the quota on the first count.
Sinn Féin confirmed that Ms de Brún has submitted her resignation to the European Parliament but said she would remain a member of the party.
Party president Gerry Adams said the party would shortly 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,” he said.
