11 hours ago
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Reuters
Mary 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.
Mary Lou McDonald is coming under pressure over Sinn Fein's handing of recent child safeguarding issues.
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.
The Dáil is due to debate the matter on Tuesday afternoon.
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.
It is understood the message was personal in nature but not sexually explicit.
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.
Sinn Féin said the PSNI told it later the same month that it was not carrying out an investigation.
The individual later resigned from the party.
On Monday, McDonald said there was no investigation and no charge.
McMonagle 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.
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.
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.
