Derry Court: Arrest warrant issued for former Sinn Fein press officer charged with child sex offences

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Sinn Fein press officer who was due to appear in Derry Magistrate's Court charged with three counts of child sex offences which were said to have occurred between May 1 2020 and August 18 2021.

Michael McMonagle (41) of Limewood Street in Derry was connected to the charges by a police officer and the case was passed to allow the defendant to appear.

His defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said the defendant had had a flat tyre but was on his way.

Later when there was no sign of McMonagle Mr MacDermott said that he had been trying to contact his client without success. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that even given the flat tyre the defendant could have walked to court and added that there was no excuse for not turning up.

He said that the defendant had to appear so that the charges could be put to him.

The prosecution in the case requested that an arrest warrant be issued for McMonagle and this was done.

Judge McElholm said that it could be executed by arrangement.