'Sinn Féin dropped the ball' - McDonald 'furious' over references for child sex offender
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2024
- The Sinn Féin staff members that provided work references for an ex-colleague who was being investigated for child sex offences acted “unilaterally, irresponsibly and despicably”, Mary Lou McDonald has said.
Sinn Féin has promised to overhaul its governance structures after the incident, which Deputy McDonald has today described as ‘unacceptable’.
It emerged in recent weeks that former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle was given work references by two of his former colleagues after he informed the party that he was under investigation for serious child sex offences.
He then used those references to secure a position as Communications Manager for the British Heart Foundation.
He has since pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Sinn Féin has said it became aware of the work references two days after his guilty plea, with the two men who gave them resigning with immediate effect.
In the weeks since, however, considerable questions have been raised regarding the party leadership's handling of the affair - and why Deputy Leader Michelle O’Neill did not raise concerns about Mr McMonagle’s attendance at a British Heart Foundation event at Stormont long after he had been suspended by Sinn Féin.
Ms O’Neill has said she was not aware he was in attendance; however, images of her standing just metres away from him at the event have emerged in recent days.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Mr McMonagle has now pleaded guilty to the “most serious of crimes” and will now face the full rigours of the law.
She said Sinn Féin did “everything by the book” when the investigation first came to light - and insisted her party leadership had no way of knowing that the work references had been handed out.
“I have to be honest with you, for the life of me, I cannot explain to you or account to you how anybody - any rational, sane, decent person - could have considered giving him any form of reference for anything,” she said.
“Not alone did these two individuals act without any authority - they acted unilaterally, irresponsibly and despicably, in my view - but they let that situation sit.
“As the allegations then became charges and as the case deepened - and bear in mind, there was media commentary as to how this was proceeding - at no stage did either individual come forward after the fact to say, ‘Look, hands up, we gave these references we shouldn't have.’”
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If you are telling lies Mary Lou, you will be found out. People aren't stupid
"If" ... 😅😅😅
Corruption is ripe in every political party, but to interfere with a child is pure evil..
Which is precisely why the culprit was thrown out of the Party, and *Prosecuted, and Convicted.*
@@FreudsSlipperohh that’s ok then
All sinn fein members should be thoroughly investigated
The Gardai. Or PSNI. The reason matters. It cannot be disregarded. Money? A group who sell power or access to power for money. Or not. The reason must be investigated.
"We ourselves", that is what "Sinn Fein" means in English, yet Sinn Fein have made no effort to keep Ireland Irish, shame on them. Even their name is dishonest. They will be badly disappointed in the coming general election.
The Police Should have the Man in Jail If He Was A Threat to The Public Especially Children He Should be in Jail Not Job hunting?
Sellouts, plain and simple.
Let gript journalism cover this story... SF is finished.
Did the word decent just come out her mouth what would she and her cronies know about decency I always voted s f never again our my family wouldn’t either 💪🇮🇪☘️
Same here.
Same!!!
Same here 35 been voting them since I was 18 up to the last election. No I couldn't even consider voting them as long as she's still in the party. Only cares about Muslim and immigrants always sporting her hijab. Why not have an Irish. Scarf or flag rather than a hijab
And SF have let THEIR people down,you get what you give,THIS IS WHERE WE are AT
Sellouts
Mary Lou should stand aside for the good of the party she is a traitor
A political party in opposition who would not oppose... yet jumped in on the main parties amendments to the irish constitution and then promised to persue it again should they get into power....unreal!
no way
Sad to see my SF loose their soul dancing for the joy of our innocent unborn
Sellouts
BS
She does my head in.
So far removed
Liar liar liar liar
Curruption at the Dail 😮
West Brit Channel Pat should be in England
Going on. For. Years.....
She want to get her eyesight checked out so not the first time they have covered up something like these
History of this kind of thing in sinn fein. Not surprising.
Was it a ball and chain job?
Stand aside you spoofer.
did the judge let him go
I am a proud member of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
I read at mass when requested.
I get garda vetted every 3 years in case I interact with Altar servers boys or girls.
In about 10 years plus, we have had about 4 altar servers.
The point I'm trying to make is, is there a case for every person in the country to be garda vetted?
So a simple request to the gardai would reveal anything of note.
Not 100% guarantee. But it would go a long way towards eliminating what went on in this case.
Why you telling us your a member of Catholic church.
@@tuforu4 Why not?
When was the last time you heard a Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil or Green Party TD admit that they messed up and take ownership of it?
It would be someone else's fault, lessons to be learned and it was still somehow be Sinn Féin's fault
Grassroots s.f.copping on that 'leadership's gone rouge.turning it's back on its w.class hardcore supporters.voted s.f. since '81..