Republican Women Prisoners

Rosena Brown

Rosena Brown aged 52 is a mother of 7 children and 7 grandchildren from the Ardoyne district of Belfast. She has been involved in the Republican movement since 1970 working in Sinn FŽin and community groups. She was forced to go on the run in 1971 and lived in Dub1in until 1977. Rosena moved to County Armagh where she was arrested in 1978 and was imprisoned for a short time in Armagh jail. In 1982 she accepted a role in a film which subsequently led to her joining a theatre company and touring Canada, several Cities in North America, as well as Britain and Europe. Apart from her acting career Rosena worked as a social welfare officer in West Belfast before being arrested in the Port of Larne in 1992. She was convicted of conspiracy and of possession of a bomb, was sentenced to 20 years in jail and is due for release in 2002. During her time in Maghaberry prison, Rosena has studied law, art and music. She has also completed two years of an Arts degree the Open University, as well as being a grandmother to seven grandchildren with 2 more on the way. Rosena remains a committed Republican and her imprisonment does not prevent her from continuing to work towards promoting the goals of the Republican movement.