Michael McMonagle: Derry pipe bomb believed to target former Sinn Fein press officer and convicted sex offender

The former Sinn Fein press officer lives on the street where the explosion occurred.

The PSNI said they were following up on a possible case of mistaken identity as part of the investigation.

McMonagle is expected to appear in court again this week to be sentenced for 14 child sex crimes.

The elderly couple experienced great shock a device was thrown out of a window from their house.

Neighbors said that while bomb squads were examining the remains of the bomb, the couple’s son arrived at the scene and picked them up from the property to take them to safety.

Neighbors are said to be angry that the elderly couple, who are well-known and respected in the area, were targeted.

Opposition republicans are held responsible for the failed bomb attack.

Following the incident on Monday evening, a security alert was issued in the Limewood Avenue area.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gingell said police received a report of an object being thrown at a house in the area around 7.30pm.

“Officers examined the remains of what they believed to be a pipe bomb and alerted army technical officers,” he said.

“The object declared to be a suspected pipe bomb was removed and taken away for further forensic examination.

“It is thought that this device exploded after being inserted through the window of the house. “This caused damage to the property but could have resulted in serious injury or even death to the occupants.”

He called for information.

“We would urge anyone with information about this crime and anyone who may have captured any footage in the area on Monday evening to contact detectives at Strand Road on 101 quoting reference 1516 of 24/11/04,” he added.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood condemned what he described as a “shocking and distressing” incident.

“There is no excuse for the attack on the home of an elderly couple in Derry this evening,” an SDLP representative said.

“The individuals responsible caused distress to this family and caused disruption to the community.”

In September McMonagle, 42, of Limewood Avenue in the city, pleaded guilty to a string of offenses including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

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

He was also accused of attempting sexual intercourse with a child 13 times.

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

He was charged with three offenses at his first hearing last year, but a further 12 offenses were later added.

He spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth when he appeared in court again in September.

When the charges were brought against him, he pleaded guilty to 14 out of 15 offences.

A prosecution lawyer said another charge was left on the books.

The court was told that a pre-sentence report would be prepared and a psychological evaluation would be made.

McMonagle was also placed on the sex offender registry; He is expected to be sentenced later this week when more details of his crime are presented to the court.

A PSNI spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing and detectives are investigating the possibility that this may be a case of mistaken identity. The investigation is still at an early stage.”