SF press officers resign over references for colleague

Two Sinn Féin press officers have resigned after providing employment references for a party colleague who was under investigation for child sex offences.

Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley - both part of the Stormont press team - stepped down at the weekend after the party began an internal process.

They had provided references for former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle for a job in the charity sector.

Last week, McMonagle pleaded guilty to 14 offences of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

McMonagle, who is 42 and from Limewood Street in Derry, was suspended by the party after his arrest.

The offences dated between May 2020 and August 2021.

Sinn Féin said the job references were provided three months after his arrest and while he was under police investigation.

A spokesperson said the references had not been provided on behalf of Sinn Féin and had not been cleared with it. Had permission been sought, it would not have been given.

Sinn Féin said it had only become aware of the references last week and it began an internal process.

Both men had resigned before the conclusion of that process.

Mr Mag Uidhir was a senior figure in the party's northern organisation.

At one time he worked for the republican newspaper An Phoblacht.

Neither man has made any public comment.