'We dropped the ball' - Mary Lou McDonald quizzed over Michael McMonagle 'scandal'

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for a 'complete overhaul' of governance procedures within the party following the handling of a former press officer for the party who was convicted of child sex offences.

Being interviewed on the The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk she was asked about her party's handling of the issue which has attracted significant comment and coverage in recent days.

Mary Lou McDonald expressed her shock at Michael McMonagle's conviction saying: "In my book, there is no more heinous crime than the abuse, grooming or sexual interference with a child and he has now pleaded guilty to the most serious of crimes, he will face the full rigours of the law."

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The Sinn Féin Leader said that when the disgraced press officer was arrested and questioned in 2022 he was suspended from Sinn Féin as per the party's procedures.

However, she says the party did not know that as the investigation unfolded, more than a year later, that two of McMonagle's (former) colleagues in the press department "took it upon themselves" to give him two professional references for a new job.

"I have to be honest with you Pat, 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 didn't see him, she didn't acknowledge him"

Mary Lou McDonald reaffirms that Michelle O’Neill did not see Michael McMonagle at an event in Stormont after @PatKennyNT shows her a photo with them 'within the same frame' pic.twitter.com/6q0QBOaL5A

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 8, 2024

During the interview, Pat Kenny put to the party leader the accusations against the British Heart Foundation of not carrying out due diligence in the wake of this matter to which she replied: "We dropped the ball, Sinn Féin dropped the ball on this." 

Mary Lou said that "strong clarity" was needed going forward in procedures on where the authority to give any professional references lies within the party.

She also said that Sinn Féin has strong child protection guidelines and strong HR processes but unfortunately, two "errors" took place, those being people "acting outside of their authority" and a "communications drop" that "cannot happen again."

Mary Lou said that she was "blindsided" by the two references as she says they came to light as a result of a media enquiry by a Sunday newspaper. She said that this resulted in the two press officers losing their jobs.

Pat Kenny went on to ask Mary Lou later in the interview what her predictions were for the upcoming election based on the polls and in light of what has happened.

"I'm looking forward to the campaign actually, Pat, I have never felt more ready for a campaign, we have answers to a lot of the problems that have worn down on people for the last number of years, not least housing and childcare."

The Sinn Féin Leader shared that her "hunch" is that there will be a November election but that only the Taoiseach knows the actual date. 

"When it happens we will be good to go."