Ms McDonald has avoided the public spotlight since it emerged Sinn Féin press officers Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley wrote references for McMonagle so he could get a new communications job at the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Sinn Féin did not inform the BHF that the party had suspended McMonagle when they learned he was being investigated for child abuse offences.
In a statement labelled ‘Decisive action taken to ensure full accountability,’ Ms McDonald said she became aware that two of her press officers wrote references for McMonagle on Wednesday, September 25th.
“Those who gave these references in this case were guilty of gross misconduct and they no longer work for the party and are no longer members of the party. Their actions are unforgivable and absolutely unacceptable to me,” she said.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – October 7th
Ms McDonald said she is “disgusted” by McMonagle’s crimes and said he was suspended from the party when he was questioned by police in 2021. “The following year, two of his co-workers in the Assembly provided references to him. I am shocked that anyone would have given him a reference, given the serious allegations and subsequent charges that he faced. This is unforgivable and absolutely unacceptable to me. This was done without consultation with the party,” she added.
She said she asked for a “complete overhaul of governance procedures within the party” so another case like that of McMonagle will not happen again.
“I will ensure that there are clear processes so that there are no grey areas whatsoever where an individual has been suspended or ends their employment with Sinn Féin, to ensure that there are no future issues in relation to handing back work passes and to make absolutely clear that references cannot be provided by individual members of staff,” she said.
“There must always be accountability for wrongdoing. That is why when I was made aware of this issue on Wednesday 25th September 2024 decisive action was taken. Those who gave references in this case were guilty of gross misconduct, they no longer work for the party and are no longer members of the party,” she added.
Ms McDonald said she “deeply regrets” that the British Heart Foundation has been “caught up in an issue, not of their making”.
“They do incredibly important work and I look forward to continuing our work with them now and in the future. “I apologise for the distress that has been caused by these events. I am committed to ensuring that an incident like this is never repeated again,” she added.
It comes after First Minister Michelle O’Neill assured MLAs in the Assembly of her “absolute determination” to protect children and vulnerable people amid the controversy.
In the Assembly on Monday, an urgent question was submitted by DUP MLA Diane Dodds asking if confidence in Ms O’Neill’s office has been “diminished” given The Executive Office’s responsibilities towards victim and survivors of childhood abuse.
“Let me be crystal clear on this point,” Ms O’Neill replied.
“I’m absolute and committed to ensuring the most robust policies are in place.
“As a mother and a grandmother, I assert my absolute determination to protect children and vulnerable people.”
Ms O’Neill said both press officers resigned from the party after disciplinary proceedings were initiated.
“Their actions would have constituted gross misconduct which would have resulted in their dismissal,” she added.
Ms O’Neill also told MLAs that she attended a BHF campaign event for Dáithí Mac Gabhann on February 14, 2023 in Stormont but was “not aware” Mr McMonagle was there and had “no knowledge” he was working for the charity.
The First Minister insisted that she and Sinn Fein were made aware on September 25 this year that two former press officers had provided Mr McMonagle with a reference.
Ms O’Neill said she is “absolutely appalled and horrified” by the incident.
“These references were given without the knowledge or authorisation of the party and under no circumstances would the party have provided such references,” she added.
The Sinn Fein vice president reiterated her apology over the weekend for the hurt distressed caused and repeated her “anger and disgust” that the two press officers had sent references to the BHF for McMonagle.
It came as the charity revealed that, in August 2023, it made contact with a senior Sinn Fein HR official and informed them that it had two references from the party.
That has raised awkward questions after several senior Sinn Fein figures insisted the party only became aware of the references in recent days.
Ms O’Neill told MLAs on Monday that the charity had contacted the party’s “former HR manager” who did not inform her or the party.
“That was a serious omission,” she conceded, but insisted issues result “primarily from the actions of two former press officers”.
The First Minister also apologised for the “reputational damage” caused to the BHF as a result of how Sinn Féin dealt with Mr McMonagle and she regretted it has happened.
Describing his actions “as utterly reprehensible”, Ms O’Neill said he is being “fully held accountable under the law, his crimes have inflicted significant harm on his victims and there is nothing more reprehensible than the abuse of a child.”
However Ms Dodds said Stormont accused Ms O’Neill of trying to “create distance” between herself and Mr McMonagle and warned that Stormont needs truth and not the “denial of responsibility”.
In a supplementary question the DUP MLA asked how the public can have “confidence” in Ms O’Neill “when you appear not to know the facts, refuse to be fulsome in your explanation, and deny responsibility, apologising only for the press officers and not the Sinn Féin cover-up?”
But Ms O’Neill said she was grateful for the opportunity to set the record straight.
”I want the public to be assured that safeguarding is of paramount importance to me, particularly when it comes to young children,” she said.
“Had I known, I would have stopped.”
