By Eniola Amadu
Former Sinn Féin office jailed for child sex offences last year, Micheal McMongale has been given a suspended sentence for violating a court order.
A 44-year-old man convicted of child sex offences has been handed a one-month suspended prison sentence for breaching a sexual offences prevention order.
Paul McMonagle, formerly of Limewood Street in Londonderry, admitted accessing an online chat room without the approval of his designated risk manager.
McMonagle was previously jailed in November 2024 for attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity.
At Limavady Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, the judge cautioned him that any further breach could result in his licence being revoked and his return to prison.
McMonagle is classified as a Category Two registered sex offender and is barred from using online chat rooms without the approval of his designated risk manager.
A police officer informed the court that on request for McMongale’s device for examination, it was discovered he had contacted some females and had been on a site with a chat room element.
The court heard that McMonagle admitted failing to inform his designated risk manager about his online activity, leading to his arrest.
A defence solicitor told the court that since his release from prison, McMonagle had “kept himself to himself,” adding that his conviction had had “a significant impact on his life,” resulting in a major fall from grace after a previous career in journalism and public relations.
The solicitor noted that McMonagle had complied with all other licence conditions.
District Judge Peter King said any decision to revoke the licence would be a matter for the Crown Court, noting that the current case fell “clearly within the licence period” and that McMonagle could expect further developments regarding his licence.
The judge acknowledged McMonagle’s guilty plea and said there was no indication of any “untoward” or sexual behaviour during the chat room incident.
