Former Sinn Fein press secretary Michael McMonagle sentenced to nine months in prison – The Irish News

Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle was sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting child sex offenses.

McMonagle, 43, of Limewood Street, Londonderry, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, followed by nine months’ statutory supervision, at Derry Crown Court.

He was also banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

The case has drawn Sinn Fein into controversy as it faces questions about safeguards and how two other party press officers provided references to McMonagle for her next job at the British Heart Foundation.

Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said Michael McMonagle was “a predator who scoured the internet for underage victims”.

“Our children’s internet protection team works in online spaces so we can catch pedophiles before they traumatize and harm children in our communities,” he said.

“When we can bring criminals like McMonagle to trial as we did today, it is certainly not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one.

“McMonagle is a predator who scours the internet for underage victims.

“Let this be a warning, we are everywhere. “If you are trying to communicate sexually with a child online, you will be caught, and when you are caught, you will face the full force of the law.”

More to follow.