Sinn Féin has been subjected to growing demands to address queries regarding the references given to an ex-employee who was being investigated by the police and was later found guilty of paedophilic offences.
The leader of the SDLP, Claire Hanna, coupled with DUP leader Gavin Robinson in demanding further elucidation from Sinn Féin, following a series of recent disclosures.
Michael McMonagle, aged 42, from Limewood Street, Derry, and a former press officer of Sinn Féin, confessed last month to several crimes, among them an attempt to encourage a minor to partake in sexual acts.
On the weekend, details emerged that Sinn Féin was previously aware, a year prior, of two of its press agents supplying references for Michael McMonagle to secure employment at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in 2022, following the termination of his contract with the party.
Sinn Féin undertook action last week to dismiss the two press agents, citing September 25th as the first date of known reference provision. However, the charity claimed that a high-ranking official had been informed about the references in 2023.
Sinn Féin’s vice-president, Michelle O’Neill, asserted on Saturday, that the BHF had reached out to a human resources manager in August 2023, yet the party’s top brass were kept in the dark about this development. Labelling the lack of communication as a “grave oversight”, she extended an apology on behalf of the party for the provision of the references.
Gavin Robinson urged for “complete openness” on Saturday and called for First Minister Ms O’Neill to publicly clarify the issue in the Assembly and field queries.
On Sunday, Ms Hanna expressed her concern about the lack of a “definite timeline” from Sinn Féin, stating, “While no institution can be held accountable for predators among them, they can certainly be held responsible for their response after the discovery of such maltreatment, which in this case, has not been managed satisfactorily,” during an interview with BBC Northern Ireland’s Sunday Politics programme.
Sinn Féin has been accused of not providing a detailed timeline of what they knew and when they knew it, particularly in relation to child protection, which is of utmost importance. A reputable charity was also wrongly tarnished last week. They’ve since had the opportunity to elaborate on the precautionary measures they took, satisfying their responsibilities in my opinion. In a Stormont committee gathering held the previous week, these matters were raised with Ms O’Neill. Ms Hanna, on the other hand, doesn’t believe that comprehensive questioning was permitted. She asserts that not all questions were addressed and insists that the Assembly should be where we conduct party-related affairs more frequently, deeming it the right course of action. (PA)