Ms O’Neill said she believes in the ongoing work, but described an “ingrained problem in our society”. “We have a job, all of us collectively as a society, in terms of ending violence against women and girls. Asked by media why she was not standing beside Ms Little-Pengelly for the comment, Ms O’Neill said the two would later speak together at an event with 600 young people, and insisted “all of our shoulders are to the wheel”. Ms Long said the region remains a “patriarchal society” where there is still a “lot of sexism, chauvinism and misogyny”. Ms Long paid tribute to Ms McNally’s parents Bernie and Noel, who attended every day of the trial.

Source: The Herald March 24, 2026 14:16 UTC