Michael McMonagle: Charity that employed suspected paedophile says it contacted Sinn Fein 14 months ago over references

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 It was only handed back this week – with Sinn Fein acknowledging it should have been revoked when he was suspended.