Northern Ireland

Timeline of the Michael McMonagle controversy

Sinn Féin has been asked to explain why it didn’t tell the British Heart Foundation about a police investigation

Former Sinn Fein staffer Micheal McMonagle (Liam McBurney/PA)
Former Sinn Fein staffer Micheal McMonagle. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY/PA

August 2021: Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle is arrested by police investigating sexual offences

June 2022: Sinn Féin learns of police investigation and suspends McMonagle’s employment and party membership

September 2022: Sinn Féin press officers Séan Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley provide employment references for McMonagle

September 2022: McMonagle is appointed to a communications role with the British Heart Foundation (BHF)

February 2023: McMonagle attends BHF event at Stormont with family of Dáithí Mac Gabhann. They meet Michelle O’Neill

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February 2023: He also attends BHF event at Westminster with family of Dáithí Mac Gabhann. They meet West Belfast Paul Maskey

July 2023: McMonagle is suspended by BHF after organisation learns of criminal charges

August 2023: Arrest warrant issued for McMonagle after he fails to appear in court to face charges

September 2024: McMonagle pleads guilty to 14 charges, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity

September 2024: Two Sinn Féin press officers resign following party investigation into their provision of unauthorised references for McMonagle