Two Sinn Féin press officers gave references for a former colleague who was subsequently convicted of child sex offences. The case has sparked criticism of Sinn Féin's handling of the controversy surrounding its Northern media operation.
Two Sinn Féin press officers gave references to the British Heart Foundation on behalf of a former colleague who was subsequently convicted of child sex offences
Sinn Féin has faced deepening criticism over its handling of the controversy surrounding its Northern media operation after two of its press officers gave references on behalf of a former colleague who was subsequently convicted of child sex offences. McMonagle was suspended from his job with Sinn Féin after he was arrested in August 2021, and in September 2022 was appointed to the role of communications and engagement manager with the British Heart Foundation in Belfast.
Asked about this by the DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, the Chief Constable said “again, the police is the lightning rod here, I don’t want to get dragged into any political tit-for-tat”. The charity previously said McMonagle had been employed following the “provision of two professional references – neither of which raised a concern about his suitability for employment or referenced an ongoing police investigation or suspension from his previous employment”.
“We have extremely robust recruitment and safeguarding policies, all of which were followed when appointing this employee and initiating our investigation,” the charity said.
Sinn Féin Child Sex Offences British Heart Foundation References Media Operation
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