Since the collapse of Stormont, Ms O’Neill has been the face of her party’s long campaign to have the Assembly restored, repeatedly promoted as a “first minister for all”. Ms O’Neill and Ms McDonald have forged a formidable partnership. In a 2021 interview, Ms O’Neill spoke about the difficulties of being a teenage mother from a Catholic background. In January of that year, Ms O’Neill became Stormont’s deputy first minister, just months before the Covid pandemic struck. However, Ms O’Neill has also faced criticism in the past for her attendance at events commemorating IRA members.

Source: Irish Independent February 03, 2024 03:24 UTC