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Child sex abuse case against ex-Sinn Fein press officer is adjourned

The 41-year-old defendant has been on court bail since his court appearance on charges last month

Today at 14:00

The child sex abuse prosecution against former senior Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle has been adjourned.

A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service told District Judge Barney McElholm at Derry Magistrates Court that the full case file was due on October 23 and, with the agreement of the defendant’s solicitor, the case could be put back until November 9.

The 41-year-old defendant, from Limewood Street in the Bogside area of the city, has been on court bail since his court appearance on charges last month.

The charges are attempted sexual communication with a child; attempting to cause a child to watch a person engaging in sexual activity; and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

He denies committing the offences on dates between May 1, 2020 and August 18, 2022 when he worked in Sinn Fein’s Stormont offices.

As part of the bail conditions imposed last month, the defendant is not allowed any unapproved contact with children under the age of 16 and he must continue to reside in an address approved by the PSNI.