SHOTLIST: - LONDON, UK (JULY 15, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. INTERVIEW WITH FIRST MINISTER OF NORTHERN IRELAND MICHELLE O’NEILL (English)LONDON, UK - JULY 15: Racism and hate have no place in Northern Ireland, First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said, strongly condemning recent incidents that have spurred concerns over the spread of far-right ideologies and rising anti-migrant sentiments. A series of troubling events, including days of anti-immigrant protests in Ballymena in June and last week’s bonfire in the village of Moygashel featuring effigies of refugees in a boat, have raised fears of increasing influence of far-right forces. “It was thuggery orchestrated in some parts by loyalism,” O’Neill told Anadolu. “It was racist, it was ugly, and it was hatred. I say no to that in society.” Recent studies indicate anti-migrant mobilization across Ireland has entered a more organized and structured phase, moving beyond the fragmented protests seen in late 2022. Acknowledging public concerns about the growth of far-right ideology, O’Neill said: “Of course, when you see things like this, it’s proper that we’ll be anxious about it, because that’s not something that I want to take hold in my community.” She drew a direct link between local anti-migrant sentiment and a broader global rise in far-right extremism, particularly fueled by misinformation online. “I think that we are right to be concerned across the world in terms of the far right, where they are spreading misinformation on social media, for example,” she said. “We live in a world that’s increasingly in flux … there are many people who are seeking refuge from conflict, from war, from poverty.” O’Neill emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society, rejecting the divisive narratives advanced by extremist groups. “There are many people that also travel to make their home with us, for economic migration. They’ve decided that it’s a good opportunity for their family. We need to make space for all of that. We need to be inclusive. We need to create a society that is welcoming, and certainly as first minister, that’s what my priority is.” On the influence of prominent far-right figures such as Nigel Farage, O’Neill emphasized her own vision for an inclusive and fair society: “It’s not for me to comment on how the British people will vote in any potential future election. That’s completely over to them. I know what I stand for, which is a society that’s inclusive, welcoming, warm – a society that’s fair and based on equality.” She also reaffirmed her long-standing commitment to Irish unity, positioning it as essential for shared prosperity and social cohesion rather than division. “I obviously want to see the unification of the people that live on my island – that’s bringing all those people who share Ireland together to make better prospects for them, a better standard of living, a home, money in their pocket … That’s a good prize for everybody.” O’Neill concluded with a firm call to action, stressing the urgency of steps to counter dangerous rhetoric and anti-immigrant sentiments. “I want to call it out for what it is, and I don’t believe that is the view of the vast majority of people at home. I don’t want to see it anywhere at all, and we all must turn our efforts to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”