Sinn Féin knew of references last year, says charity

The British Heart Foundation has said it told a senior Sinn Féin official that two of its press officers had provided references for Michael McMonagle in August 2023.

The charity employed the former Sinn Féin press officer, who was under investigation for child sex offences, in September 2022 after neither reference “raised a concern about his suitability for employment”.

This contradicts what Sinn Féin minister Conor Murphy told BBC News NI, that the first time the party became aware of the references was last Wednesday following a media query.

Questions have been mounting on Sinn Féin this week over their handling of the case.

Last month, McMonagle, of Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted to a series of child sex offences.

On Tuesday, Stormont’s Economy Minister Conor Murphy said it was “inexplicable” the references were provided and Sinn Féin only became aware of it last Wednesday.

“No one was informed, no permission was sought, no advice was sought in relation to dealing with it,” he told BBC News NI.

On Saturday, Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said: “On Wednesday 25 September 2024, Sinn Féin and I were informed that two press officers, who were former colleagues of Michael McMonagle, had provided employment references for him.

“I am absolutely appalled and horrified that this occurred. 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.”

Charity head Fearghal McKinney said Michelle O’Neill has “expressed regret” about questioning the charity’s due diligence.

The First Minister spoke to Mr McKinney in a telephone call on Saturday.

“Michelle O’Neill agreed recent comments by her and party colleagues questioning the BHF’s due diligence process were unhelpful, and she expressed regret for the damage and upset this has caused to our dedicated staff and supporters,” he said.

A spokesperson from the British Heart Foundation said it has “robust recruitment and safeguarding processes”.

Mr McMonagle had worked for Sinn Féin for around seven years, first as a policy advisor at Stormont and later as a press officer in the North West until his arrest in 2021, after which his employment with the party ended.

He was then employed by the British Heart Foundation charity a year later, having received references from two other former Sinn Féin press officers.

The references, provided by Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley, raised no “concern about his suitability for employment or referenced an ongoing police investigation or suspension from his previous employment”, according to the charity.

Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley later resigned after it emerged that they had provided the references without clearance from the party, who condemned their actions.

In September, McMonagle, of Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted to a series of child sex offences.

The offences relate to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021, and include charges of attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity..

In a statement, the charity said it was “made aware of the arrest of and subsequent criminal charges against the individual by a media query on Saturday 29th July 2023 and we suspended him as soon as possible on Monday 31st July 2023”.