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Northerners listed among Ireland's richest

Derry woman Roma Downey is one of the north's richest people
Derry woman Roma Downey is one of the north's richest people Derry woman Roma Downey is one of the north's richest people

DERRY-born actress Roma Downey has emerged as one of the north’s richest people with a €441 (£375m) fortune.

Originally from the Bogside Ms Downey has, along her TV and film producer husband, Mark Burnett, accumulated a huge personal fortune.

The couple earned a large chunk of their vast wealth when Mr Burnett sold off his production company in recent years placing Ms Downey at number 39 on the Sunday Independent rich list.

Other well known people from the north to make it onto the list include Hollywood A-lister and Ballymena-born actor Liam Neeson who at number 122 has pocketed up €127m (£108m) as one of the world’s highest paid performers.

Irish rockers U2 make it onto the list at number 21 with a bank balance totalling €795m (£676m), making them Ireland's wealthiest musical act.

The Irish celebrities area included in a list of the 300 wealthiest people in Ireland.

The Mistry family head up the table with a €15.4billion (£14bn) fortune amassed through steel giants Tata.

Born in India, Pallonji Mistry and other members of his family hold Irish passports.

The list also includes Freddie Linnett, whose €770m (£655m) fortune puts her at number 23.

She made her wealth after her Armagh born uncles, Hughie and Paddy Murphy, left her a stake in property company Charles Street.

At number 34, Donegal man Paddy McNally gathered up much of his €436m (£370m) fortune after selling his Formula One events, corporate entertainment and trackside advertising business in 2006.

The family of deceased multimillionaire Eddie Haughey, who own Norbrook Laboratories, are placed at 36 on the list.

Mr Haughey died in a 2014 helicopter crash as he returned to his Co Down home.

Belfast native Tim Martin takes his place in 43rd place with a €376 (£320m)fortune from his 30 percent stake in high street pub chain Weatherspoons.