Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges
A former Sinn Fein press officer has been warned he faces a jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges.
Michael McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted to two charges of attempting to entice two children to engage in sexual activity.
The 42-year-old also pleaded guilty to 12 charges of attempting to communicate with children for the purposes of sexual gratification.
The offences were committed on dates between May 2020 and August 2021
Another charge was left on the books.
McMonagle is a former newspaper journalist who joined Sinn Fein as a press officer.
He worked for the party in Stormont, Westminster and in the European Parliament.
Sinn Fein immediately suspended McMonagle’s membership and employment when he was arrested last year.
Initially he denied all the charges he faced.
Last week he was due before Londonderry Crown Court to be re-arraigned on the charges but was found unconscious in his home and taken to hospital.
On Monday, he did appear before the court and changed his plea to guilty.
Judge Neil Rafferty warned McMonagle it is highly likely that a custodial sentence will follow.
A pre-sentence report will be carried out which will include a psychiatric evaluation.
McMonagle was required to sign the sex offenders register before leaving the Bishop Street Courthouse.
He was released on continuing bail and will be sentenced in November.
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