Hard working, determined and serious describe Dublin-born Ms de Brun (44). Fluent in Irish, which she once taught, and French, she has a sharp intellect, and has long been a staunch critic of the RUC. She has come to prominence only recently, mostly through her involvement in the talks and her media interviews.
Little is known of her personal life but she moved to Belfast 20 years ago and was involved in community politics. She emerged politically as a leader of the H-Block Committee before and during the hunger strikes at the Maze prison, and in 1982 joined Sinn Fein. She has been an ardchomhairle member for 15 years.
Her mother was born in Belfast and her father was from Cork but grew up in England.