Latest news with #MichaelMcMonagle
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Cops confirm ‘no further action' in Sinn Fein child sex offender wages probe
The case involving Michael McMonagle, of Limewood Street, Derry, had been referred to the PSNI in January following his conviction last year Police have confirmed that no further action is to be taken over wages paid to a former Sinn Fein press officer who was later convicted of child sex offences. The case involving Michael McMonagle, of Limewood Street, Derry, had been referred to the PSNI in January following his conviction last year. A Stormont review into the circumstances of the case, concerning the 43-year-old's previous employment arrangements with Sinn Fein and the party's elected representatives at Stormont, had found it was 'likely' McMonagle had 'misrepresented' details of that employment. It concluded that his actions 'may have resulted in a misuse of public money', revealing that for three months in 2020 he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for two Sinn Fein politicians — First Minister Michelle O'Neill and West Tyrone MP Orfhlaith Begley — while working as a party press officer. The review said Sinn Fein 'ought to have known' McMonagle was contracted to work for about 80 hours a week. It found McMonagle was 'likely to have misrepresented his employments and that neither Ms Begley nor Ms O'Neill were aware of this'. The matter was then referred to the PSNI by the NI Assembly's chief executive, Lesley Hogg. In a letter sent to MLAs in January, she explained that she was required to report the issue 'under the Assembly Commission's Fraud Prevention and Anti-Bribery Policy'. In a statement, the PSNI said: 'Enquiries conducted by the PSNI's Economic Crime Unit are now complete. There will be no further police action at this time.' Last September, it was revealed that two Sinn Fein press officers gave references for McMonagle after he had been arrested and suspended from the party — but before he had appeared in court. Both party officials later resigned. In January, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there were 'lessons to be learned for everybody' as a result of the Stormont report into McMonagle's employment. 'I think it's been a very useful piece of work, because I think there's lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and actually how that's all fully accountable,' she said at the time. 'We were at a time of Covid. It was a very short time in which he did work for me and there was an overlap. But I do believe there are lessons to be learned there, of course.' McMonagle was sentenced to nine months in custody and a further nine months on licence for child sex offences after pleading guilty to 14 changes relating to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021. In one incident, he believed he was chatting online to a 12-year-old girl, who was actually a police decoy. The judge said McMonagle had expressed shame over his behaviour 'and deeply regretted the hurt and problems' he had caused. Afterwards, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the outcome of the case, saying that 'justice has been served'. Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle arrives at Derry Courthouse (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) News in 90 Seconds - June 18th
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Michael McMonagle: 'No further police action' in wages probe
No further police action is being taken over wages paid to a former Sinn Féin press officer who was later convicted of child sex case of Michael McMonagle was referred to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) by the Northern Ireland Assembly in followed a Stormont review which found he likely "misrepresented" details of his employment and this "may have resulted in a misuse of public money".A PSNI spokesman said its enquiries are now complete and "there will be no further police action at this time". McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, was jailed last year for child sex controversy prompted a review of his previous employment arrangements with Sinn Féin and the party's elected found for three months in 2020 he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for two Sinn Féin politicians - First Minister Michelle O'Neill and West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley - while also working as a party press review said Sinn Féin "ought to have known" McMonagle was contracted to work for about 80 hours a found McMonagle was "likely to have misrepresented his employments and that neither Ms Begley nor Ms O'Neill were aware of this". The matter was referred to the PSNI by the Stormont assembly's chief executive, Lesley a letter to assembly members in January, she said she was required to report the issue "under the Assembly Commission's Fraud Prevention and Anti-Bribery Policy".Following the PSNI concluding its enquiries, the assembly was approached for January, the first minister said there were "lessons to be learned for everybody" as a result of the Stormont report into McMonagle's employment."I think it's been a very useful piece of work, because I think there's lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and actually how that's all fully accountable," she Sinn Féin deputy leader added: "We were at a time of Covid. It was a very short time in which he did work for me and there was an overlap. But I do believe there are lessons to be learned there of course."
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sinn Féin appoints new HR manager after McMonagle review
Sinn Féin has appointed a new HR manager after an overhaul of the party's internal governance procedures prompted by the Michael McMonagle - who was jailed last year for child sex offences - had worked as a party press officer and for several Sinn Féin elected party came under pressure last October after it emerged two Sinn Féin press officers had provided job references for McMonagle while he was under faced further criticism after it emerged one of its senators Niall O Donnaghaile had been suspended for sending inappropriate texts to a teenage boy. Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has now published a progress report into the review, which began following questions over the party's handling of child protection issues. The party said it had "consulted external professionals as part of this work" and has appointed a new HR Manager, who started on 6 May, alongside a new post of Director of National Corporate said the director would be responsible for driving forward corporate governance, statutory compliance, and management processes within the party."A Governance Hub has also been put in place, under the General Secretary which involves senior managers with responsibility for HR, safeguarding and child protection, discipline, training, financial regulation and data protection. It held its inaugural meeting earlier this month," she added."A number of other pieces of work, being produced by external professionals, are at an advanced stage."The party's Child Protection policy has been updated by an Independent Consultancy and Safeguarding Service. A single, comprehensive Employee Handbook is being finalised for use across the country in accordance with employment law and relevant statutory rights and obligations." 'Committed to ensuring the highest level of governance' Work looking at the party's disciplinary procedures to strengthen current procedures and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processing complaints will also be finalised in the coming weeks."We are committed to ensuring the highest level of governance across Sinn Féin and that party management, staff and members are all aware of their responsibilities," added McDonald."Governance will be an ongoing part of our work and we will be reviewing all aspects of this annually."
