Menu
08/11/2024
Man Jailed For Child Sex Offences
A 42-year-old man from Derry/Londonderry has been sentenced to nine months in prison, followed by nine months on licence, for a series of child sex offences.
Michael McMonagle was convicted of 14 charges of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child between the ages of 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity, including penetration.
The offences were uncovered during a proactive policing operation conducted by the PSNI's Child Internet Protection Team. Between May 2020 and August 2021, McMonagle engaged in online conversations with multiple 'child' profiles, aged between 12 and 14. He quickly turned the conversations to sexual topics and attempted to coerce the children into performing sexual acts.
In August 2021, detectives executed a warrant at McMonagle's home address and seized electronic devices containing evidence of the chat logs, images, and usernames he used online.
McMonagle pleaded guilty to the charges on 23 September 2024 and was sentenced at Bishop Street Courthouse in L'Derry on 8 November 2024.
Welcoming the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, said: "Our Child Internet Protection Team work in online spaces so that we can catch paedophiles, hopefully before they traumatise and harm children in our communities.
"It is by no means an easy job but a rewarding one when we are able to bring offenders like McMonagle before the courts as we have done so today.
"McMonagle is a predator who was combing the internet for underage victims.
"Let this serve as a warning, we are everywhere. If you are attempting to communicate with a child online in a sexual way, you will be caught and you will face the full force of the law when you are."
Michael McMonagle was convicted of 14 charges of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child between the ages of 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity, including penetration.
The offences were uncovered during a proactive policing operation conducted by the PSNI's Child Internet Protection Team. Between May 2020 and August 2021, McMonagle engaged in online conversations with multiple 'child' profiles, aged between 12 and 14. He quickly turned the conversations to sexual topics and attempted to coerce the children into performing sexual acts.
McMonagle pleaded guilty to the charges on 23 September 2024 and was sentenced at Bishop Street Courthouse in L'Derry on 8 November 2024.
Welcoming the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, said: "Our Child Internet Protection Team work in online spaces so that we can catch paedophiles, hopefully before they traumatise and harm children in our communities.
"It is by no means an easy job but a rewarding one when we are able to bring offenders like McMonagle before the courts as we have done so today.
"McMonagle is a predator who was combing the internet for underage victims.
"Let this serve as a warning, we are everywhere. If you are attempting to communicate with a child online in a sexual way, you will be caught and you will face the full force of the law when you are."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2023
83 Child Predators Convicted In 2022
The PSNI have recorded a 43% increase in the number of searches conducted by the Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT). In 2022, CIPT officers carried out 145 searches, 43% more than 2021, seized thousands of devices and uncovered tens of thousands of indecent images of children.
83 Child Predators Convicted In 2022
The PSNI have recorded a 43% increase in the number of searches conducted by the Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT). In 2022, CIPT officers carried out 145 searches, 43% more than 2021, seized thousands of devices and uncovered tens of thousands of indecent images of children.
14 March 2023
Campaign Launches Ahead Of Child Sexual Exploitation Day
The PSNI has launched a new awareness campaign of the sexual exploitation of children with a focus on online offending, ahead of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Day on the 18th March. The Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT) are the busiest they have ever been since their inception in 2010.
Campaign Launches Ahead Of Child Sexual Exploitation Day
The PSNI has launched a new awareness campaign of the sexual exploitation of children with a focus on online offending, ahead of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Day on the 18th March. The Child Internet Protection Team (CIPT) are the busiest they have ever been since their inception in 2010.
09 February 2023
L'Derry Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Sexual Communication With A Child
A 44-year-old man from L'Derry has pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, at Coleraine Crown Court. Named by the PSNI as Patrick Devine, he believed he was talking to three young girls aged 12, 13 and 14.
L'Derry Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Sexual Communication With A Child
A 44-year-old man from L'Derry has pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, at Coleraine Crown Court. Named by the PSNI as Patrick Devine, he believed he was talking to three young girls aged 12, 13 and 14.
07 February 2024
39-Year-Old Charged With Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse Offences
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in Portadown and charged with non-recent child sexual abuse offences involving four female and two male victims between 1999 and 2009.
39-Year-Old Charged With Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse Offences
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in Portadown and charged with non-recent child sexual abuse offences involving four female and two male victims between 1999 and 2009.
08 March 2018
Two Men Arrested Over Historical Child Sexual Abuse
Detectives have arrested two men as part of an investigation into allegations of serious historical child sexual abuse. Officers from the PSNI's Public Prosecution branch arrested the two suspects, aged 60 and 67, on Thursday, 08 March. The men were detained in Newtownards and Ardglass. They are being questioned at Antrim Police station.
Two Men Arrested Over Historical Child Sexual Abuse
Detectives have arrested two men as part of an investigation into allegations of serious historical child sexual abuse. Officers from the PSNI's Public Prosecution branch arrested the two suspects, aged 60 and 67, on Thursday, 08 March. The men were detained in Newtownards and Ardglass. They are being questioned at Antrim Police station.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
