Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill has apologised after two Sinn Fein officials provided the British Heart Foundation (BHF) with references for a former employee who was under investigation for child sex offences.
Ms O’Neill, the party’s vice president, reiterated her “anger and disgust” that the press officers provided the employment references for 42-year-old Michael McMonagle for a job at the charity.
Last month, McMonagle, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
McMonagle was first arrested in August 2021, with Sinn Fein saying it suspended him as soon as it became aware of the police investigation. His employment with the party was terminated in June 2022 when his contract ended.
He started working for the BHF from September 2022.
In a statement, Ms O’Neill said the two press officers no longer work for the party and are no longer party members.
She also revealed that the BHF contacted Sinn Fein’s former HR manager in August 2023 after media reports of charges against McMonagle, and asked the manager to verify the identity and email address of the senior press officer who had provided the reference.
The HR manager did so, but Ms O’Neill said the contact was not brought to her attention or to the attention of the Sinn Fein leadership, which she called “a serious omission”.
Ms O’Neill said she was made aware of his suspension and had no further contact with him.
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In her statement on Saturday, she said she was “absolutely appalled and horrified” about the references given by the press officers.
“These references were given without the knowledge or authorisation of the party. Under no circumstances would the party provide a reference, for work or otherwise, for Michael McMonagle,” she said.
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“Michael McMonagle’s actions are utterly reprehensible and he is being held fully accountable under the law. His crimes have inflicted significant harm on his innocent victims. There is nothing more reprehensible than the abuse of a child.”
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The BHF said on Saturday it is confident it undertook “all necessary statutory and moral duties required” throughout the hiring process.
