A court case against a former regional journalist charged over alleged child sex abuse has been adjourned.

Michael McMonagle, who spent 10 years with the Derry Journal, appeared in court yesterday in relation to the charges, but proceedings have now been adjourned after it was revealed the full case file will not be ready until 23 October.

McMonagle faces three charges of sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to watch a person engaging in sexual activity and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

The 41-year-old denied all charges, which allegedly took place between May 2020 and August 2022, at a previous hearing in August.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Derry Magistrates Court, pictured, heard yesterday how the case could be put back until 9 November, with the agreement of McMonagle’s solicitor.

McMonagle left the Journal in 2014 and has since worked as a press officer for Sinn Fein and a communications and engagement manager for the British Heart Foundation.

As part of the bail conditions imposed last month, he is not allowed any unapproved contact with children under the age of 16 and he must continue to reside in an address approved by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.