A former Sinn Fein press officer facing 15 charges of child sex abuse was found unconscious after failing to appear in court yesterday.
It was heard in Londonderry Crown Court that Michael McMonagle was taken to hospital after he was discovered.
The 42-year-old, from Limewood Street in Derry, had been given 24 hours to appear before a judge to answer the charges against him, which he had previously denied.
His legal team said they could think of no explanation as to why the defendant was not in court. They said they had tried to contact him by mobile phone and by calling at his home address, but they were unable to locate him.
Judge Philip Babington said that if the defendant failed to turn up, he would expect the prosecution to apply for a bench warrant to have him arrested.
Read more
NI nurse who revealed patient had an STD and called her a ‘slag’ struck off
However, when the case was mentioned in court today, Judge Babington said: “My information is he [McMonagle] had been found in an unconscious state and taken to hospital.”
Defence barrister Kieran Mallon KC told the judge that McMonagle was “still in hospital” and suggested the case to be listed for mention on Monday.
A PPS barrister replied: “I only have anecdotal evidence about that. If that is the case I will not be making an application today.”
Agreeing to list the case for next Monday, Judge Babington said: “I indicated yesterday I would take a certain action today if he did not turn up. I will now not be doing that but I will require some medical evidence on Monday.”
The defendant, who is on court bail, faces 13 charges of attempting to sexually communicate with children for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
He also faces one charge of attempting to incite a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration and one charge of attempting to incite another female child under the age of 16 to engage in a sex act.
McMonagle is alleged to have committed the offences on dates between May 2020 and August 2021.
by heresmewhaa
2 comments
RIP in peace
If the allegations are true, it’s a shame the cunt woke up at all.