McDonald says she took 'decisive action' after arrested ex-employee given reference

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald apologised for the distress caused by the controversy, saying she was committed to 'ensuring that an incident like this is never repeated again'. File Picture: PA

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she took “decisive action” following revelations that two former press officers gave references to a former employee under investigation for child sex offences.

Michael McMonagle, aged 42, from Limewood St, Derry, last week pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and 12 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child between 2020 and 2021.