The scandal involving Michael McMonagle, a former Sinn Féin press officer convicted of child sex crimes, continues to plague the party. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for a thorough reform of the party’s governance procedures. This new stance follows revelations that two past press officers lent their support to McMonagle by providing references. Growing pressure on McDonald came after it was disclosed that Seán Mag Uidhir, an important, long-serving party member who led the Northern media operations, and his co-worker, Caolán McGinley, had departed the party when it was unveiled they were the ones who provided the references.
McMonagle, aged 42, and based in Limewood Street in Derry, accepted guilt for two counts of inciting a child into sexual activity and 12 counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor between 2020 and 2021. He is expected to face sentences in the coming month. Following his arrest in August 2021, Sinn Féin suspended McMonagle from his press officer role, and a year later in September, he took up a post as communications manager at the British Heart Foundation charity in Belfast.
In reaction to intense public scrutiny, McDonald issued a public condemnation of the misconduct by the two ex-party members and vowed to make sweeping changes to the party’s governance. She expressed commitment to preventing repetition of such an incident by demanding an extensive reform of party governance procedures.
The British Heart Foundation disclosed last weekend that they had informed a top Sinn Féin human resources officer in the North about the endorsing references in August of the previous year. The officer neglected to inform Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Féin First Minister, and the rest of the party’s leadership about this matter. O’Neill conceded that this oversight was significant.
During yesterday’s session at the Stormont Assembly, O’Neill confirmed that the HR manager, despite being stripped of his employement, remained a party member. Observations from Political Editor Pat Leahy underscore that sexual abuse cases have continually posed problems for Sinn Féin. As the Republic prepares for a general election, this scandal is the last thing Sinn Féin needs.
Meanwhile, speculation continues about a possible Russian spy among Oireachtas members. Conor Lally, Conor Gallagher, and Jack Horgan-Jones reported today that gardaí have prepared a list indicating Oireachtas members and others, including academics, who are believed to have drawn the attention of Russians in Ireland for intelligence-gathering purposes.
Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke was buried on Monday, with President Michael D Higgins and Tánaiste Micheál Martin among the attendees at her funeral. Journalist Miriam Lord highlighted how O’Rourke was “right in the middle of things – just this time, it was the final occurrence”.
In other news, Dublin Airport is facing legal backlash from Ryanair due to their cap on passenger numbers at 25.2 million for next summer, as discussed by Barry O’Halloran in his recent report.
The public investment fund of Saudi Arabia will acquire a 40% share in the company that owns Brown Thomas and Arnotts, according to reports by Peter Flanagan.
Des Groome and Finn McRedmond explore ways to manage dangerous dog species in their opinion column, arguing whether the XL bully ban imposed by the Government is an effective measure.
In today’s cabinet meeting, Ministers will be informed about the schedule for 10 cost-of-living welfare payments including double child benefit and Christmas bonus, set to be disbursed by December 3rd, sparking early election predictions.
The Dáil is set to hold a Leaders’ Questions session at 1pm, allowing Taoiseach Simon Harris to answer queries before leaving for Washington to meet President Joe Biden this week. Although the centenary celebration in the Rose Garden has been postponed due to Hurricane Milton, the Oval Office on Wednesday will host the leaders’ meeting as scheduled.
The Dáil is set to discuss the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill from 2.06pm today, which seeks to allocate €1.25 billion of funding to the Land Development Agency, as detailed in last week’s budget announcement.
Sinn Féin will move a Dáil motion later in the day on the government’s use of public money, with expected references to the €2.2 billion national children’s hospital and a €336,000 bike shed. This debate will commence at 5.48pm.
From 7:50pm, Minister for Higher Education, Patrick O’Donovan, will be fielding queries in parliament. At 9:20pm, there will be an extended slot for MPs to discuss “Topical Issues”.
At 3.15pm, the Seanad is due to weigh in on the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022. The current administration is eager to wrap up this matter before the elections.
On a different front, the Environment Committee, composed of TDs and Senators, will invite representatives from RTÉ, Irish Doctors for the Environment and The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change at a session starting 11am. This meeting will deliberate on the media’s responsibility in the environmental crisis.
Meanwhile, officials from the Department of Housing will face questions on the National Planning Framework from the Housing Committee at 3:15pm.
At a justice committee meeting, Dr Sharon Lambert, an academic from the UCC in the field of psychology, will share her insights on the sources of violence and criminality, starting from 4pm.
Full schedules for the Dáil, Seanad and Committees can be accessed at their respective online portals.