Dramatic twist as some Sinn Fein members knew ex-colleague facing child sex charges got references from members of party Sinn Fein is engulfed in a growing scandal around how a former party press officer suspected of child sex offences got a job with a charity. Sky News Sinn Fein vice president apologises after references given for ex-employee under investigation for child sex offences Michelle O’Neill reiterated her “anger and disgust” that party press officers provided employment references for 42-year-old Michael McMonagle for a job at the British Heart Foundation.

The party has also admitted it failed to return McMonagle’s Stormont security passSINN Fein is engulfed in a growing scandal around how a former party press officer suspected of child sex offences got a job with a charity.

In a dramatic new twist, it emerged that some SF members were aware more than a year ago that members of the party had provided references for a former colleague, Michael McMonagle, who was under investigation for child sex offences.Sinn Fein vice president apologises after references given for ex-employee under investigation for child sex offences

Michelle O’Neill reiterated her “anger and disgust” that party press officers provided employment references for 42-year-old Michael McMonagle for a job at the British Heart Foundation.