Former Sinn Féin Press Officer Faces Licence Revocation After SOPO Breach

BREAKING: Former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle is facing the potential revocation of his licence following a serious breach of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This urgent development was confirmed during his appearance at Limavady Magistrate’s Court on October 21, 2025.

McMonagle, aged 44, was charged with breaching his SOPO by accessing a chat room without prior permission from his designated risk manager. Court proceedings revealed that he is classified as a Category 2 registered sex offender, explicitly prohibited from entering chat rooms without consent.

A police officer detailed that during a routine examination on the same day, officers discovered McMonagle had been communicating with multiple females in a chat room, a violation of his conditions. He admitted to failing to inform his risk manager of this activity, resulting in his immediate arrest.

Defence solicitor Paddy McGurk argued that McMonagle has made efforts to comply with his restrictions since his release from prison in November 2024, where he was sentenced for sexual communication with a child. McGurk noted that the consequences of his past offenses have significantly impacted McMonagle’s life, marking a steep decline from his previous career in journalism and public relations.

During the hearing, District Judge Peter King remarked that the decision regarding McMonagle’s licence should ultimately rest with the Crown Court, given the gravity of the breach occurring within the licence period. Although McMonagle pleaded guilty, Judge King indicated that there was no evidence of further sexual misconduct in the chat room interactions. He sentenced McMonagle to a one-month suspended prison sentence, effective for 12 months.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and scrutiny faced by individuals under sexual offense prevention orders. As developments unfold, the court’s decision on the potential revocation of McMonagle’s licence will be closely monitored.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.