Michelle O’Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, has expressed her apologies following the revelation that two Sinn Fein representatives submitted references to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for a former employee who was under scrutiny for child sexual offences.
Ms O’Neill, who also serves as the party’s vice president, reiterated her feelings of “anger and revulsion” regarding the provision of employment references for 42-year-old Michael McMonagle at the charity.
Just last month, McMonagle, who resides on Limewood Street, Derry, pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including attempting to entice a child to engage in sexual conduct.
Michael McMonagle, who admitted child sex offences in court last month. Pic: PA
McMonagle was initially apprehended in August 2021, at which point Sinn Fein stated it had suspended him as soon as they were informed of the police inquiry. His affiliation with the party concluded in June 2022 when his contract expired.
He commenced his employment with the BHF in September 2022.
In a statement, Ms O’Neill mentioned that the two press officers are no longer affiliated with the party and have ceased to be party members.
She disclosed that the BHF had contacted Sinn Fein’s former HR manager in August 2023 following media reports regarding charges against McMonagle, requesting verification of the identity and email address of the senior press officer who had issued the reference.
The HR manager complied, but Ms O’Neill stated that this correspondence was not communicated to her or the Sinn Fein leadership, which she described as “a significant oversight”.
Ms O’Neill acknowledged being informed of his suspension and stated that she had no further engagement with him.
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In her remarks on Saturday, Ms O’Neill expressed that she was “truly appalled and horrified” by the references provided by the press officers.
“These references were granted without the knowledge or permission of the party. In no circumstance would the party endorse a reference, for employment or any purpose, for Michael McMonagle,” she asserted.
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“The actions of Michael McMonagle are entirely despicable and he will be held fully accountable under the law. His actions have caused profound harm to his innocent victims. There is nothing more abominable than the exploitation of a child.”
On Saturday, the BHF stated that it was confident that it had performed “all necessary statutory and ethical obligations” throughout the recruitment process.
