The Taoiseach has urged Mary Lou McDonald to break her “vow of omerta” over how a sex offender was given references by party staff. 

Michael McMonagle, of Limewood Street in Derry, was first arrested in August 2021 and was suspended from his job by Sinn Féin. 

After McMonagle’s contract with the party ended in June 2022, two of his colleagues provided references for him and he began working for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) later that year. 

Last month, McMonagle admitted he had committed a number of offences - including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the two press officers who provided references for McMonagle are no longer Sinn Féin members or employees and that their behaviour left her feeling 'angry and disgusted'.

Addressing the controversy, Simon Harris said the “deeply worrying revelations” need to be addressed by party President Mary Lou McDonald. 

“The story has changed again,” he said. 

“The timelines have changed again; but what has not changed is the fundamental issue here. 

“Someone who actually carried out a sexual crime against a child was moved from a political party to a charity and that move was facilitated by employer references provided by that party. 

“There seems to have been some sort of vow of omerta taken in terms of properly discussing this issue.” 

'Legitimate questions'

Mr Harris said Deputy McDonald had commented on “every and any issue” during her time as leader of the opposition but had failed to speak out about a controversy concerning her own party. 

“If this happened in any other political party or any other organisation, what do you think Deputy Mary Lou McDonald would say?” he said. 

“What do you think she’d say when she took to her feet in Dáil Éireann? What do you think she’d say when she stood in front of a microphone like this? 

“She needs to apply that same level of accountability to herself that she would apply to anyone else. 

“I call on her today to come out as leader of this organisation and answer the questions that have been legitimately put to her in relation to child protection.” 

The DUP and SDLP have called on First Minister Michelle O’Neill to appear before the Northern Ireland Assembly to answer questions on the matter.

Sinn Féin has been contacted for comment.

Main image: Split of Mary Lou McDonald and Simon Harris. Pictures by: Rolling News.ie.