This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj9mvv1z0mo

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Sinn Féin press officers resign following job references for later convicted sex offender Sinn Féin press officers resign over McMonagle references
(31 minutes later)
Michael McMonagle pleaded guilty in September to a series of child sex offences and is due to be sentenced in November Michael McMonagle pleaded guilty in September to a series of child sex offences
Michael McMonagle pleaded guilty in September to a series of child sex offences and is due to be sentenced in November Michael McMonagle pleaded guilty in September to a series of child sex offences
Published8 hours ago Published29 September 2024
Two Sinn Féin press officers have resigned after providing references for a former colleague who was later convicted of sex offences.Two Sinn Féin press officers have resigned after providing references for a former colleague who was later convicted of sex offences.
Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley quit at the weekend just days after it emerged the pair had given references for former Sinn Féin press officer, Michael McMonagle. Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley quit at the weekend just days after it emerged the pair had given references for former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle for a job at a charity.
McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted in September a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted in September a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
He is due to be sentenced in November. Sinn Féin say the references were provided without clearance from the party and described their actions as wrong and unacceptable.
'Unacceptable and wrong' According to Sinn Féin, the work references were provided three months after McMonagle was dismissed from the party while under police investigation.
According to Sinn Féin, the work references were provided three months after McMonagle was dismissed from the party while under investigation. “The references were not provided by or on behalf of Sinn Féin," a party spokesperson said.
“Both provided these references without clearance from Sinn Féin. That was unacceptable and wrong," the party spokesperson stated. “Permission was not sought, nor would it have been given, from the party for the provision of these references or their content."
“The references were not provided by, or on behalf of Sinn Féin. The party said it only became aware of the references last week and launched an internal process.
“Permission was not sought, nor would it have been given from the party for the provision of these references or their content. “Before this process concluded, both press officers resigned from their positions and party membership with immediate effect," the spokesperson added.
“In view of the serious nature of this revelation, Sinn Féin undertook an immediate internal process.
“Before this process concluded, both press officers resigned from their positions and party membership with immediate effect."
There has been no comment from Seán Mag Uidhir or Caolán McGinley.There has been no comment from Seán Mag Uidhir or Caolán McGinley.
Former republican prisoner, Seán Mag Uidhir, had been a senior figure within the party and previously worked for the Republican newspaper An Phoblacht.Former republican prisoner, Seán Mag Uidhir, had been a senior figure within the party and previously worked for the Republican newspaper An Phoblacht.
McMonagle, who worked as a press officer at Stormont, is due to be sentenced in November.
Related topicsRelated topics
Sinn FéinSinn Féin
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland