Sinn Féin to carry out 'complete overhaul' after references gave to child sex offence suspect

Michael McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. He will be sentenced in November.

Mary Lou McDonald has apologised for the “distress” caused by two Sinn Féin officials giving references to a former press officer who has pled guilty to child sex offences

As she confirmed there will be a “complete overhaul of governance procedures within the party”, she vowed that an “incident like this is never repeated again”.

Michael McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. He will be sentenced in November.

READ MORE: Michelle O’Neill apologises over party press officer references for McMonagle

READ MORE: Funeral of Fianna Fail's 'fearless trailblazer' Mary O'Rourke held in Athlone

He was first arrested in August 2021 and Sinn Fein said it suspended him when it became aware of the police investigation. His term of employment with Sinn Fein at the Assembly formally ended in July 2022. However, his security pass was only revoked last week.

McMonagle then went on to get a job with the British Heart Foundation which did not know he was under investigation for child sex offences.

Two Sinn Féin press officers who provided references for him quit last month as Sinn Féin began disciplinary proceedings against them.

In a statement on Monday evening, Ms McDonald said there must “always be accountability for wrongdoing”.

“I am disgusted by the crimes of Michael McMonagle who is facing the full rigours of the law,” she said.

“He was immediately suspended from the party and his employment when he was questioned by the PSNI in 2021, as required by our child protection and HR procedures.

“The following year two of his co-workers in the Assembly provided references to him. I am shocked that anyone would have given him a reference, given the serious allegations and subsequent charges that he faced. This is unforgivable and absolutely unacceptable to me. This was done without consultation with the party.

“I have asked the incoming General Secretary to immediately initiate a complete overhaul of governance procedures within the party. We will do everything necessary to ensure that an incident like this never arises again. The General Secretary will take external professional advice in this work.

“I will ensure that there are clear processes so that there are no grey areas whatsoever where an individual has been suspended or ends their employment with Sinn Féin, to ensure that there are no future issues in relation to handing back work passes and to make absolutely clear that references cannot be provided by individual members of staff.”

Ms McDonald said she regrets that the BHF got “caught up in an issue, not of their making”.

She added: “I apologise for the distress that has been caused by these events. I am committed to ensuring that an incident like this is never repeated again.”

This is the first time Ms McDonald issued a full statement on the controversy.

There has been deep dissatisfaction in Government over Ms McDonald’s handling of the issues. Several senior sources suggested that she had “gone to ground” and was “avoiding the media”.

There had been calls from Fine Gael for Ms McDonald to make a statement in the Dáil. However, the Irish Mirror understands there were no requests at last week’s Business Committee for time to be allocated for such a statement.

Meanwhile, TD's Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Anne Rabbitte have written to the Ceann Comhairle asking for statements to be held on the matter of child protection, which would enable Ms McDonald to update the Dail.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our PrivacyNotice.