Michael McMonagle: ex Sinn Fein press officer jailed for child sex offences

Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to child sex offences.

McMonagle (43), from Limewood Street in Londonderry, was sentenced at Derry Crown Court to nine months in custody followed by nine months under statutory supervision.

He has also been disqualified from working with children and vulnerable adults.

The case plunged Sinn Fein into controversy as it faced questions around safeguarding measures and how two other party press officers provided references for McMonagle for a subsequent job with the British Heart Foundation.

Speaking outside court, Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said Michael McMonagle is a "predator who was combing the internet for underage victims".

"Our child internet protection team work in online spaces so that we can catch paedophiles, hopefully before they traumatise and harm children in our communities," she said.

"It is by no means an easy job but a rewarding one when we are able to bring offenders like McMonagle before the courts as we have done so today.

"McMonagle is a predator who was combing the internet for underage victims.

"Let this serve as a warning, we are everywhere. If you are attempting to communicate with a child online in a sexual way, you will be caught and you will face the full force of the law when you are."