Mary Lou McDonald: End Violence Against Women - Demand Action
Mary Lou McDonald demands urgent action after a life sentence drives home the ongoing danger women face in Ireland. She warns violence against women and girls remains at epidemic levels and calls for a step change from government to protect survivors.
Immediate call for action
Mary Lou McDonald highlighted the grief of Declan McNally after Stephen McCullough was sentenced to life, calling the murder a sharp reminder of the danger women face. She said violence against women and girls is the shame of our society and urged everything possible to end it.
System failures and stalled reforms
The leader criticised slow progress since the first government strategy 15 years ago, pointing to a judicial system that does not work for victims, court delays, and support services that are underfunded and overstretched. She warned that despite Cabinet approval for Jenny's law last October, there is still no register of domestic abusers to prevent repeat offending.
Government response and resources
Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged recent increases in funding and measures described by government, including an 12 million year-on-year increase to the Zero Tolerance Strategy, additional refuge spaces and a target to provide about 282 safe spaces by the end of 2026. She argued these measures are important but insisted they do not replace the urgent systemic change still needed.
Consequences and demands
Sinn Féin presses for faster implementation of protections, proper resourcing for frontline services, and reforms to ensure justice moves swiftly for victims. Mary Lou McDonald asked when the government will show the determination required to eliminate violence against women and girls and remove this stain from Irish society.
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Violence against women and girls is the shame of our society and we must do everything possible to end it. These were the words of Natalie McNally's heartbroken brother Declan yesterday after Stephen McCullough was sentenced to life in prison for horrific murder. A sharp reminder of the danger women face. Today violence against women and girls is at epidemic levels across Ireland. The first government strategy was delivered 15 years ago this month. Progress is far too slow. A judicial system that doesn't work for victims. Court cases taking too long. Support services underfunded and overstretched. And despite Jenny's law receiving Cabinet approval last October, we still don't have a register of domestic abusers to protect women from repeat offenders. When will we see a step change from government to deliver change and bring the determination required to eliminate violence against women and girls? It is a tremendous stain on our society, the level of domestic violence and gender-based violence. And there has been a step change in government responses over the last number of years. Funding is now about 80 million under the last budget. The establishment of COON has been an important step change in terms of a dedicated focus provision of services. And the representation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. It's a 12 million increase year on year, so the financial resources have been significantly step changed in respect of this issue. And the acceleration of additional refuge spaces and safe accommodation is an important aspect of that. And again the target is about to provide about 282 safe spaces by the end of 2026.
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