Former Sinn Féin Press Officer Michael McMonagle Returned to Prison for Sexual Offences Order Breach

Michael McMonagle, former Sinn Féin press officer and journalist, has been returned to prison after having his licence revoked for breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by accessing an online chat room without permission. McMonagle was originally sentenced to 18 months in prison last November for child sex offences, including attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity, with half the sentence to be served in custody and the remainder on licence. Released in August, he admitted to the breach in court and received an additional suspended sentence. The breach was determined to be non-sexual in nature but still led to revocation of his licence and recall to prison to serve out the remaining licence period. Procedures to revoke his licence began shortly after the offence was discovered and were completed on October 23, 2025. McMonagle remains a category two registered sex offender subject to public protection arrangements.