Sinn Féin Leaders Linked to Sex Offender

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Michelle O’Neill has come under scrutiny after it was revealed she was photographed near Michael McMonagle, a former press officer who recently pleaded guilty to multiple child sex offences, at a Stormont event in February 2022. O’Neill denied being aware of McMonagle's presence at the event, which supported the Mac Gabhann family's organ donation campaign, despite being captured in pictures with him just feet away. Following the incident, two Sinn Féin press officers resigned for providing unauthorized references for McMonagle when he sought employment with the British Heart Foundation. The party had suspended McMonagle nine months prior after being informed of a police investigation into his activities. Criticism has been directed at Sinn Féin for not informing the charity about the ongoing investigation, raising questions about safeguarding practices within the party. Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole noted that the party's swift action to suspend McMonagle indicated an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation at the time.