Both the DUP and SDLP leaders have called for First Minister Michelle O’Neill to be questioned in the Assembly over the handling of Michael McMonagle, a former Sinn Féin press officer who admitted to a series of sex offences.
McMonagle was employed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as a communications and engagement manager three months after he was dismissed from the party while under police investigation in 2022.
He got the job after receiving references from two former Sinn Féin colleagues, however Ms O’Neill says the party leadership were only made aware of this last month.
Here’s what we know so far.
Party find out
Michael McMonagle is arrested by police investigating sexual offences while working as a Sinn Féin press officer and informs the party in August 2021
Ms O’Neill has said at this point the party “took decisive action” and, in line with their policies, immediately suspended McMonagle as a party member and as press officer.
From this point on, the First Minister says she had “no further contact with him”.
McMonagle leaves Sinn Fein
McMonagle’s employment with Sinn Féin is terminated when his contract ends in June 2022.
Hired by British Heart Foundation on Sinn Fein references
McMonagle is hired as an events and communication manager with the British Heart Foundation after receiving two references from former press office colleagues at Sinn Féin in September 2022. Michelle O’Neill says she knew nothing about the references
The BHF says that “neither reference raised a concern about his suitability for employment or referenced an ongoing police investigation or suspension from his previous employment”.
Background checks were not carried out on McMonagle; the BHF says the role did not meet the requirements for Access NI or DBS checks as the “work doesn’t involve working alone with children, vulnerable adults, or patients.”
McMonagle and O’Neill at the same Stormont event
McMonagle accompanies the family of Dáithí Mac Gabhann at a BHF event in Stormont in February 2023 which is also attended by the First Minister.
Ms O’Neill has said that her “sole focus was on Dáithí and supporting the family to raise awareness for the campaign”.
“I was not aware that Michael McMonagle was at this event and I had no knowledge that he had gained employment with the British Heart Foundation,” she has since said in a statement.
McMonagle at Westminster event with Sinn Fein MPs
Ten days later McMonagle is working for the British Heart Foundation at events in Westminster where he is assisting in the Dáithí Mac Gabhann organ donation campaign.
When there they family met a number of MPs, including Paul Maskey and John Finucane, the Sinn Fein MPs for West and North Belfast.
Criminal charges
The BHF is first made aware of criminal charges against McMonagle following a media query in July 2023.
They say they suspended him as soon as possible.
According to the charity, they alerted the PSNI and co-operated with any information requests.
Sinn Fein informed about the references in 2023
The BHF initiates a recruitment review process – part of this includes an email dialogue with a (now former) senior Sinn Féin HR official where the references from Sinn Féin were verified.
Michelle O’Neill has said that this request for reference verification was not brought to her or party leadership’s attention at the time and was a “serious omission”.
Following an internal investigation, McMonagle’s employment with the charity is terminated.
McMonagle pleads guilty to sex offences and press officers leave Sinn Fein
McMonagle pleads guilty to 14 charges at Derry Crown Court in September 2024 – these include attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Ms O’Neill said that both her and the party were first informed that two party press officers had provided references for McMonagle on September 25.
Following this, both individuals were investigated internally for “gross misconduct, which would result in their dismissal”.
However, both individuals resigned and terminated their party membership on September 28, while the process was ongoing.
She says she was “appalled and horrified” that references had been given, stating that it happened “without the knowledge or authorisation of the party” and that “under no circumstance” would the party provide a reference for McMonagle.
“As a political leader and a mother, I want to be clear that the issue of child safeguarding is of paramount importance to me,” Ms O’Neill said.
“The Sinn Féin leadership and I will ensure that a situation like this will never arise again.”
McMonagle is set to be sentenced in November.
