Sinn Féin: SDLP joins call for questions over McMonagle references

O’Neill also apologized for the hurt and distress caused by the press officers who provided the references.

“On Wednesday 25 September 2024, Sinn Féin and I were informed that two press officers, who were former colleagues of Michael McMonagle, had provided employment references for him,” O’Neill said in a statement.

“I am absolutely appalled and horrified that this occurred,” she continued.

“These references were given without the knowledge or authorization of the party.

“Under no circumstances would the party provide a reference, for work or otherwise, for Michael McMonagle.”

In a statement on Saturday, O’Neill added “for the purpose of completeness”, that she had also been made aware by staff of an “unrelated issue with an adult female colleague of Michael McMonagle at a non-work related social gathering a number of years ago”.