O’Neill skips Washington, prioritizes Northern Ireland trade mission

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, has faced criticism for not attending St Patrick’s Day events in Washington, D.C. While Irish leaders were visiting, O’Neill decided to boycott the trip due to her concerns about the situation in Palestine. Taoiseach Micheal Martin called her absence a "big mistake," saying it did not benefit the people of Northern Ireland. He highlighted past efforts to support Sinn Fein during the peace process. While O’Neill led a trade delegation to North Carolina, her deputy, Emma Little-Pengelly, continued to Washington, where she met with U.S. President Donald Trump. O’Neill defended her decision during a session with the Executive Office. She expressed her pride in choosing to stay away, stating she could not ignore what she sees as breaches of international law and the genocide of the Palestinian people. She believes that there will be a time to reflect on the actions taken during this period. Despite her absence in Washington, O’Neill noted that the trade trip to North Carolina was valuable for promoting Northern Ireland. She emphasized the region's potential for investment and business growth. When asked if her presence in Washington would have added value, O’Neill stood by her decision. She feels confident in her choices and believes the deputy First Minister also feels the same way.