A former Sinn Féin press officer arrested in 2021 over child sex offences and later convicted has only had his Stormont security pass revoked this week.
Michael McMonagle admitted to the charges last month, with Sinn Féin now facing ongoing criticism about how they handled the matter.
With two Sinn Féin press officers resigning for providing job references to McMonagle, the party were also questioned about why they didn’t inform his new employer about the police investigation.
In February 2023, McMonagle had attended a Stormont event with the British Heart Foundation, with Sinn Féin leaders including Michelle O’Neill also present – who claims she did not notice McMonagle at the time.
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Reported in the News Letter, it has now emerged that McMonagle’s Stormont security pass was only cancelled on Tuesday.
A spokesperson has blamed Sinn Féin, stating the Assembly had not been informed or asked to cancel McMonagle’s pass.
An Assembly spokesperson commented: “Assembly passes are allocated to political parties using the d’Hondt method based on party strength. In addition, each MLA is allocated three passes for distribution to their staff. Passes are issued as either MLA staff or party staff passes.
“The pass sponsor (the party or MLA employer) should return the pass once the pass-holder leaves their employment. This did not occur in this case.”
Adding that the Assembly Commission had not been made aware of the allegations against McMonagle or his suspension, or asked to cancel his pass, they said he had used a one-day Stormont visitor pass in February 2023.
“In the circumstances, the Assembly Commission cancelled Mr McMonagle’s pass on 1 October 2024. To prevent such a situation arising again, the Assembly Commission has reviewed the actions routinely taken to ensure that passes are returned upon the termination of employment of MLA staff or party staff.”
Sinn Féin has been contacted for a response, while the Assembly Commission has been asked if any further measures are needed on background checks for security passes.
Meanwhile, the DUP leader Gavin Robinson has accused Sinn Féin of trying to “shut down” questions over the controversy, including why the party had not informed the British Heart Foundation McMonagle was being investigated for sex offences.
Party vice-president and Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Economy Minister Conor Murphy both said that doing so could have prejudiced a police investigation.
The Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has since told the Policing Board this would not have affected the investigation.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Robinson said: “I think it is clear to see that from the outset they tried to shut the story down.
“I think over the last number of days you can see that there are new questions emerging and answers that really aren’t satisfying people.
“When you consider safeguarding and the safety of children particularly, it is crucially important.
“So, where there still are questions to be answered, they should be answered fully and satisfactory.”
The Alliance leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long also told the BBC that political parties needed to be capable of “self reflection” during difficult situations.
“I do think that there are questions that Sinn Féin should be asking themselves and questions that they have to answer,” she said.
“For example, why they didn’t report to a new employer that the individual in question was under investigation?
“I think that’s a significant question that they need to reflect on whether that was appropriate or not.”
Earlier this week, Ms O’Neill said she was “aghast and horrified” that two Sinn Fein press officers had provided a reference for McMonagle.
Sean Mag Uidhir and Caolan McGinley resigned as press officers last weekend.
In September, McMonagle pleaded guilty at Derry Crown Court to 14 offences of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
The offences dated between May 2020 and August 2021.
He is due to be sentenced in November.
