Gardaí are investigating reports that the newly crowned Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher suffered racist abuse on a night out in Kilkenny at the weekend.
The 21 year old had stopped at The Blue Door Takeaway with her boyfriend on their way home from a night out in the town when it’s said they were verbally abused by two men.
Manager Paul Osagie told the Irish Sun: “Miss Rose of Tralee was in the shop last night, only for her to get racist abuse. It saddens my heart seeing this happening.”
Gardaí later confirmed that they were investigating and said:
“Gardaí in Kilkenny are aware of an alleged incident that occurred in a fast food restaurant on John Street, Kilkenny on Sunday the 26th of August 2018 at approx. 3am. Enquires are ongoing.”
“It’s lovely to see diversity. Every single woman taking part in this Festival is different.”
2018 Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher #roseoftralee pic.twitter.com/2VvJxu6LBF— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 22, 2018
Kirsten is the first ever African-Irish Rose to have been be crowned the winner at the competition in Tralee.
After her win, she said: “We’re all different and we all come in all shapes and sizes and skin colours and hair and freckles/no freckles. We’re such a diverse community, and we need to embrace that.”
Main image via @RoseofTralee_
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