A former Sinn Féin press officer, who had a bench warrant issued for his arrest for alleged sex offences involving a child, has been detained by police.
Michael McMonagle spent the night in hospital having failed to attend court in Derry yesterday to face the charges.
His solicitor told the court his client had told him he had a flat tyre, which had delayed him, and the case was put back.
Subsequent attempts to reach him by phone were unsuccessful. At that point, the district judge issued the warrant.
It later transpired Mr McMonagle had been brought to Altnagelvin Hospital by ambulance from his home at Limewood Street in the city.
Police today said they had arrested a 41-year-old man on foot of a bench warrant.
Mr McMonagle faces three charges relating to alleged offences between May 2020 and August 2021. He is charged with attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
He is also charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and with attempting to make a child look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.
Mr McMonagle worked as a press officer for Sinn Féin since 2014 in Derry, at Stormont and in London.
He has previously worked as a journalist.
Sinn Féin said he had been suspended from his job and the party when it learned of his arrest.
