Ex-Sinn Féin press officer admits child sex offences

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwd281gn9do

A former Sinn Féin press officer has pleaded guilty to a series of child sex offences, after previously denying all the charges.

Michael McMonagle will be sentenced in November.

McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street in Derry, changed his plea when he appeared at Londonderry Crown Court on Monday.

He had originally faced 15 charges, including attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity.

He was also accused of 13 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

The offences relate to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021.

At his first court appearance last year he was charged with three offences but 12 more were added later.

When he was re-arraigned at Londonderry Crown Court, he spoke to confirm his name and address and date of birth.

When the charges were put to him, he pleaded guilty to 14 of the 15 offences.

A prosecution barrister said another charge was being left on the books.

The court was told that a pre-sentence report would be prepared and a psychological assessment would be carried out.

McMonagle was also placed on the sexual offenders register.

Before releasing him on bail, Judge Neil Rafferty said it was likely a prison sentence would follow.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on 8 November.

McMonagle worked for a time as a newspaper journalist in Derry before being employed as a Sinn Féin press officer in the north west.

He was also an adviser for the party at Stormont for a number of years.

In a statement after his first court appearance, Sinn Féin said as soon as it became aware of his arrest, he was "immediately suspended from employment and party membership".