The British Heart Foundation said it spoke “with a senior Sinn Féin HR official where we shared that we had two references from Sinn Féin”.
It will raise more questions, after several senior figures insisted the party only became aware in recent days of the references.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill also denied knowing that McMonagle had taken a job with the BHF – despite being photographed standing several feet from him at a charity event in Stormont in early 2023.
Last month, McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
The former press aide was first arrested in August 2021. Sinn Féin has said it suspended him as soon as it became aware of the police investigation.
Yesterday the party admitted it failed to return McMonagle’s Stormont security pass. It was only handed back this week – with Sinn Fein acknowledging it should have been revoked when he was suspended.
Speaking today, Fearghal McKinney, the head of BHF in Northern Ireland, said Ms O’Neill acknowledged today that some party comments had been unhelpful.
He said the First Minister had expressed regret for the “damage and upset” caused by the controversy.
“This morning, I spoke to Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill by telephone,” he said.
“In this telephone call I outlined to Michelle O’Neill the processes the British Heart Foundation undertook in hiring this individual, determining his suitability for employment including full reference checks and the robust internal investigation we undertook after learning of the serious charges against him.
“Michelle O’Neill agreed recent comments by her and party colleagues questioning the BHF’s due diligence process were unhelpful, and she expressed regret for the damage and upset this has caused to our dedicated staff and supporters.”
Mr McKinney said the BHF is confident it undertook “all necessary statutory and moral duties required throughout this entire process”.
“Our staff and volunteers in Northern Ireland have been devastated by this issue and our focus now must be on supporting them and focusing on what we are here to do – funding lifesaving research to find the cures and treatments for heart and circulatory disease,” he added.
“Lastly, our thoughts are with the children and their families who are the ultimate victims of these terrible crimes.”
