In excess of a year prior, Sinn Féin was informed that party members had vouched for an ex-colleague who was later found guilty of child sex crimes.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) reached out to the party on August 3rd, 2023, during its recruitment procedure review after the suspension of Michael McMonagle, a former Sinn Féin press officer. Prominent Sinn Féin members, Seán Mag Uidhir, who spearheaded the party’s media division in the North, and his associate, Caolán McGinley, left the party the previous weekend when it was revealed that they had supported another ex-party press officer, Michael McMonagle.
Earlier, McMonagle, a 42-year old resident of Limewood Street in Derry, admitted to two counts of tempting a juvenile to engage in sexual behaviour and 12 instances of attempted sexual interaction with a minor during 2020-21.
Following his arrest in August 2021, McMonagle was suspended from his role at Sinn Féin, thereafter assuming the position of Communications and Engagement Manager with the British Heart Foundation in Belfast in September 2022.
In the wake of Mr. Mag Uidhir’s and Mr. McGinley’s departures, Sinn Féin acknowledged that it became aware of the character references on September 25th 2024 due to a press enquiry, which prompted swift action from the party.
Sinn Féin’s vice president and the North’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, released a statement on Saturday. She disclosed that it came to her knowledge, on Thursday, that the British Heart Foundation had connected with Sinn Féin’s previous HR Manager in August 2023 to validate the email and identity of the chief press officer who had given the reference the preceding year, in light of the media exposure of charges against McMonagle.
The British Heart Foundation, according to Ms O’Neill of the Sinn Féin leadership, had failed to alert her or the party’s leaders about an important matter, a significant oversight she acknowledged. She offered apologies on behalf of her party for the distress caused because of Mr Mag Uidhir and Mr McGinley’s actions.
In the future, she indicated, Sinn Féin will direct all managers and staff about handling character reference requests. As a political leader and a mother, she emphasized the importance of child safeguarding and assured that she and the Sinn Féin leadership will make sure that a situation like this will not repeat.
Additionally, Ms O’Neill, the Sinn Féin vice-president, provided details about an unrelated incident she learnt of just last week regarding a female adult colleague of Michael McMonagle whom he made uncomfortable at a social gathering. They resolved the incident with a mutual agreement, though it was unrelated to child protection issues.
After her Saturday phone call to the Northern Ireland head of the BHF, Fearghal McKinney, she gave out this statement. Mr McKinney recalled their conversation, where he illustrated the procedures BHF followed in hiring this individual, incorporating full reference checks and conducting a thorough investigation upon discovering serious charges against him. Acknowledging the inappropriate remarks questioning BHF’s hiring process she and her party members made, Ms O’Neill expressed regret for any distress it might have inflicted upon BHF’s dedicated supporters and staff.
Mr McKinney noted the negative media focus on Dáithí Mac Gabhann, a young organ donation campaigner and his family, which has been extremely distressful. The BHF, saddened by this family being wrongly involved, requested that the media respect their privacy while they concentrate on securing a heart for Dáithí and continue to share their hopeful message.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) expressed their assurance that all necessary legal and ethical obligations were fulfilled throughout the course of a particular incident. The organisation’s team and volunteers in Northern Ireland were profoundly impacted by the given situation, prompting an immediate shift in focus towards supporting them, along with their main objective of funding research for heart and circulatory disease treatments and cures. He offered his sympathies to the children and the families who bore the brunt of these catastrophic offences.
Ms O’Neill condemned the actions of Michael McMonagle, holding him entirely responsible for his heinous crimes under the law. These actions, she mentioned, caused immense suffering for his innocent victims. After being informed by McMonagle himself about his arrest and questioning for serious offences in August 2021, the party made a swift decision. Complying with their Child Protection Policy and HR Handbook, he was promptly suspended from both the party membership and his role as a press officer. His employment was cut-off in June 2022 when his contract expired. She also stated that she was informed of his suspension, but there was no subsequent interaction.
The First Minister brought up the ‘Donate4Daithí’ campaign event held at the Parliament Buildings’ Great Hall in Stormont on February 14th, 2023, which was backed by BHF. Pictures revealing McMonagle near Ms O’Neill and other party figures surfaced later. However, her sole concentration was the campaign’s cause and providing support for the respective family. She was unaware of both McMonagle’s presence at the event and his link with the BHF.
Ms O’Neill revealed her shock and outrage when she, along with Sinn Féin were informed on September 25th, 2024, that McMonagle’s two ex-colleagues, who were press officers, vouched for his employment. The party was not privy to this credential endorsement. The party also reiterated its policy that it would never offer a reference, including employment, for McMonagle under any circumstances. Both individuals were dealt with immediately for their severe violations, which resulted in their termination.
The two individuals involved resigned and ended their membership to the party with immediate effect during the party process on Saturday, 28th September 2024. Speaking on behalf of Sinn Féin, Ms O’Neill expressed an apology for the upset and turmoil caused by their actions.
Ms O’Neill acknowledged her Saturday morning discussion with Mr McKinney, pointing out the immense contribution of the BHF in offering support, undertaking research, and providing advocacy services. She expressed deep regret that they found themselves entangled in this regrettable situation and expressed optimism about maintaining a positive relationship with the British Heart Foundation to promote heart health.
Further, she expressed considerable distress that the family of young Dáithí, who is bravely battling his health condition, found themselves involved in discussions surrounding this situation.