SINN FÉIN’S MEP for Northern Ireland, Bairbre de Brún, has resigned.

In a brief statement this afternoon Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the Dublin-born MEP was resigning for personal reasons.

“I would ask that the media and others respect her in this matter,” he said.

A schoolteacher by profession, de Brún took up politics full-time as a Sinn Féin negotiator in 1997 and was a member of the Stormont assembly from 1998 until 2004, when she was elected to Brussels.

The BBC had reported in March that de Brún was on sick leave, and that she had been unable to attend plenary sessions in Strasbourg since December.

Although MEPs elected to the European Parliament have a list of nominated substitutes who take their place if the seat is vacated, it is understood that Sinn Féin will hold a convention to decide on her replacement.

“I thank Bairbre for her work over many years and for her friendship and look forward to working with her in the future,” Adams said.

“Republicans everywhere I am sure will join me in extending best wishes.”