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Sinn Féin leader to update Dáil on suspended member Sinn Féin leader to update Dáil on suspended member
(32 minutes later)
Mary Lou McDonald will make a statement in the Dáil laterMary Lou McDonald will make a statement in the Dáil later
The Sinn Féin leader will make a comprehensive statement in the Dáil (Irish parliament) later regarding a party member who was suspended after sending an inappropriate text message to a youth member of the party. The Sinn Féin leader is to make a statement in the Dáil (Irish parliament) later regarding an inappropriate text message sent by a former senator to a youth member of the party.
Mary Lou McDonald is coming under pressure over Sinn Féin's handing of recent child safeguarding issues. Niall Ó Donnghaile, who was also a former Belfast lord mayor, has said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was notified but no formal complaint was received.
The controversy was sparked after two Sinn Féin press officers gave references for a former colleague, Michael McMonagle, who was later convicted of child sex offences. His statement was reported by the Irish News, external on Tuesday.
The Dáil is due to debate the matter on Tuesday afternoon. BBC News NI has contacted Mr Ó Donnghaile for comment.
It is understood that the allegations of inappropriate text messages were sent by a party official to a 17-year-old in Northern Ireland, who was also a member of Sinn Féin. Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin president, is coming under pressure over the party's handing of recent child safeguarding issues.
It is understood the message was personal in nature but not sexually explicit. Niall Ó Donnghaile was a former Belfast lord mayor
The party said when it got the complaint in September 2023, it followed its child protection policy, suspended the person who sent the message, and referred them to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the social services. It is understood that the allegations of inappropriate text messages were sent by Mr Ó Donnghaile to a 17-year-old in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin said the PSNI told it later the same month that it was not carrying out an investigation. The message is believed to have been personal in nature but not sexually explicit.
The individual later resigned from the party. The party said when it got the complaint in September 2023, it followed its child protection policy, suspended the person who sent the message, and referred them to police and the social services.
Sinn Féin said the PSNI told it the same month that it was not carrying out an investigation.
Mr Ó Donnghaile later resigned from the party.
On Monday, McDonald said there was no investigation and no charge.On Monday, McDonald said there was no investigation and no charge.
In his statement to the Irish News, Mr Ó Donnghaile said he accepted his behaviour warranted stepping down from his role in the Seanad and as a party member.
He said it would give him "the space to focus on improving" his health and well-being.
He said these are issues he has been dealing with his doctor on since mid-2021.
McMonagle is currently awaiting sentencing after admitting to a series of child sex offencesMcMonagle is currently awaiting sentencing after admitting to a series of child sex offences
Time has been set aside for all parties to discuss matters in the Dáil, relating to Sinn Féin's handling of the Michael McMonagle case. Time has been set aside for all parties to discuss matters in the Dáil on Tuesday, relating to Sinn Féin's handling of a separate case involving former press officer Michael McMonagle, who admitted child sex offences.
The party faced criticism after it emerged that two Sinn Féin press officers gave references for their former colleague for a job with a charity.
In September, McMonagle admitted to a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.In September, McMonagle admitted to a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
He is due to be sentenced in the coming weeks.He is due to be sentenced in the coming weeks.
Both press officers, Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley, have since resigned.Both press officers, Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley, have since resigned.
On this, McDonald said she has instigated an overhaul of procedures in the party.On this, McDonald said she has instigated an overhaul of procedures in the party.