McDonald defends Sinn Féin’s child protection measures amid widespread criticism

Sinn Féin has been keen to point out that its handling of this case was complimented by authorities.

In a statement to the media, Mr Ó Donnghaile said that "over a year ago I sent inappropriate messages which, in consultation with the party, I accept warranted my stepping down from my role as a senator and Sinn Féin member".

The former senator said: "At the time I made myself available to the PSNI; at no stage was I spoken to by them or any other agency. The PSNI confirmed that no offences had occurred."

"I regret deeply the upset caused to the recipient of these messages and apologise sincerely for that. I also accept that I have caused great embarrassment to myself, my family, friends and former colleagues - this was never my intention.

“Since resigning from political and public life almost a year ago and now as a private citizen, my main focus has been on improving my mental health and also supporting a relative through a challenging period of ill-health — this remains my priority and I ask that I and all those concerned are allowed to move on, with our privacy respected. I will be making no further comment."

Mr Ó Donnaighle said that he accepted that his behaviour warranted stepping down and that "this would also give me the space to focus on improving my health and wellbeing, issues that I have been dealing with my doctor on since mid-2021.” 

He said this had been done in consultation with Sinn Féin, but when Mr Ó Donnaighle resigned last year, party leader Mary Lou McDonald wished him well, saying that he had resigned on health grounds.

"I hope that Niall can overcome the health challenges that he has had to deal with over the past number of months, and I wish him and his family the very best for the future," she said at the time.

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Ms McDonald said that a complaint had been received by a party councillor from a 17-year-old male. They had received an inappropriate message from the then-senator.

An adult later made a similar complaint but chose not to progress this, she said.

Ms McDonald accepted that Sinn Féin did not tell the Oireachtas about it. She said Mr Ó Donnaighle had been suffering from a "mental health crisis" and that publicly naming him would be "very dangerous for his health". She said that she still holds those concerns.

Ms McDonald said that the former senator was "held to account" by the party's processes and procedures. She said that the "safety" of the young person had been the foremost concern of the party.

It comes as the party has been asked to explain its child safety procedures following separate revelations that two former party press officers provided references to a colleague who was under investigation for child sex crimes.

Former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle was suspended after his arrest in 2021. He went on to work for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in 2022.

In September, McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. He will be sentenced in November.

Two other press officers, Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolan McGinley, resigned from the party after Sinn Fein began disciplinary proceedings against them after providing references for McMonagle.

Elsewhere, senior members of the Government called on Sinn Féin to clarify questions around a complaint made about TD Brian Stanley.

At the weekend, it emerged that the Laois-Offaly TD who was also chair of the Public Accounts Committee had resigned from the party and would run as an independent in the next general election.

Sinn Fein said a complaint made about Mr Stanley and a “serious” counter-allegation were referred to An Garda Síochána on Sunday.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ms McDonald said the circumstances around Mr Stanley’s resignation are “very, very serious”.

“The complaint made against Deputy Stanley is very serious. The complaint relates to an incident that took place in October 2023 and relates to Deputy Stanley’s personal behaviour — leaving the complainant, in her words, traumatised and distressed.

“In the course of the inquiry into the complaint against Deputy Stanley, he raised a counter allegation against the complainant and a very serious one. The allegation caused deep concern, and Deputy Stanley was advised that he should go to the gardaí. He chose not to.

“Deputy Stanley’s allegation also dates back to the incident of October 2023.”