Northern Ireland

Legal expert questions Sinn Féin’s claims they were unable to warn charity about former press officer’s arrest

Sinn Féin Minister Conor Murphy claimed it could have compromised a police investigation if they had warned the British Heart Foundation about Michael McMonagle’s arrest over sex offences

Michael McMonagle, 42, admitted a series of offences last month
Michael McMonagle worked for the British Heart Foundation for nearly a year after he was dismissed from Sinn Féin. (PA/PA)
By Allan Preston

A legal expert has questioned claims from Sinn Féin that they were unable to warn a health charity that a former press officer had been arrested over sex offences.

Sinn Féin’s Economy Minister Conor Murphy answered questions this week about why the party did not inform the British Heart Foundation that Michael McMonagle was facing a police investigation.

“When we suspended him and he ended his engagement with us. That matter then, until the point that he was charged, is a matter for the police,” he told the BBC.

“We have no involvement, it is not our job to do the investigation. To do anything in relation to that could potentially be prejudicial.

“It is up to the police to gather sufficient evidence to decide to charge him.”

Following McMonagle’s arrest in August 2021, Sinn Féin suspended him in June the following year after learning about the arrest.

Conor Murphy has said Sinn Fein was not aware of the references given to shamed McMonagle
Conor Murphy has said Sinn Fein was not aware of the references given to shamed McMonagle (Liam McBurney/PA)

By September 2022, he took up a new post with the British Heart Foundation after receiving references from two Sinn Féin Press officers.

In February 2023, he was present at two BHF events attended by Sinn Féin leaders.

By July that year, the BHF suspended him after learning of the arrest with McMonagle admitting to the charges in September, Sinn Féin dismissed two press officers and claimed they had only learned about the references they provided.

Six-year-old Daithi Mac Gabhann and his parents, father Mairtin Mac Gabhann (right) and mother Seph Ni Mheallain (left) are greeted by Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill as they arrive at Parliament Buildings at Stormont in February 2023. Circled is former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle. PICTURE: PA
Six-year-old Daithi Mac Gabhann and his parents, father Mairtin Mac Gabhann (right) and mother Seph Ni Mheallain (left) are greeted by Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill as they arrive at Parliament Buildings at Stormont in February 2023. Circled is former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle. PICTURE: PA

Legal expert Joshua Rosenberg told the BBC’s Stephen Nolan show that Sinn Féin would have been at liberty to inform the British Heart Foundation.

“As far as I can see, there is no law that would have prevented Sinn Féin from alerting the British Heart Foundation...and Conor Murphy doesn’t really explain how that would have prejudiced the police investigation,” he said.

“Sure the BHF might have sacked Michael McMonagle, sure they would have had questions to raise with Sinn Féin. But I can’t see how (the PSNI’s) investigation would have been prejudiced simply because the reason for his suspension by Sinn Féin was communicated to the British Heart Foundation.”

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has ruled out standing again
Ulster Unionist Party MLA Doug Beattie. (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie also said he believed Sinn Féin had a moral duty to have made the BHF aware of the potential safeguarding issue.

“They literally knew and did not pass this information on. Sometimes in politics goes move at a breakneck speed and sometimes people get things wrong.

“What annoys me the most, it’s when people get things wrong and they don’t admit being wrong,” he said.

“They’re not doing that, they’re doubling down to say because of legal considerations we couldn’t do anything. What a load of nonsense. If you know that someone is under investigation for crimes against children you would inform the school, the company, the charity...it is the morally right thing to do and they know they should have done it.”

He continued: “If you are a person who has moral responsibility, then it’s important that you pass that information on and at least let the charity....do their due diligence on all the information that’s available.”

A police spokesperson said: “This case is subject to ongoing criminal proceedings so it would be inappropriate to comment.”