Joyce Fegan: We should ask abusers and their supporters what they think they're doing

Waiving her anonymity, survivor Sinéad O'Neill said to others enduring abuse: 'Please reach out, because the support is there.' Perhaps more of the rest of us should speak up too

Sinéad O'Neill spoke up on Thursday after Dean Ward was sentenced to 18 years in jail for abusing her. She praised the gardaí's support and urged others being abused to come forward. Picture: Collins Courts

Most people enter relationships for love, compatibility, and companionship. But some people do it for control.

Many myths abound about crime and abuse in a domestic setting — “drugs and booze made me do it, your honour”, or “it was a momentary loss of control for my client, a crime of passion if you will”, or “it takes two to tango”.