Crucifix tattoo could jeopardize new Miss Ireland's pageant hopes

Rebecca Maguire, Miss Ireland

A tattoo of a crucifix on her ankle could stand in the way of the new Miss Ireland’s world title hopes.

The first runner up in the competition, Antrim’s Rebecca Maguire, was awarded the title last week after the original winner, Miss Mayo Maire Hughes, was snubbed by organizers because of her age.

But the Queen’s University Belfast student may not be able to compete in the Miss World contest in Mongolia later this year due to a tattoo of a cross and chain on her ankle. The ink design was made popular by celebrities such as Nicole Richie, who has a similar tattoo on her left ankle.

According to the Daily Mail, the rules of the pageant mean that there is no ink allowed.

The paper reports that one of last year’s finalists, Miss Swaziland Faith Kunene, was told by Miss Swaziland organizers to remove her tattoos by laser.

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that 13 of this year's Miss Ireland contestants would have been ineligible for the pageant as 10 of the girls had tattoos and three were under the minimum 5ft 7in. height requirement.

Last weekend, the 2011 Miss Ireland, Holly Carpenter, also lashed out at the Irish division of the pageant, saying that organizational mishaps cost her the top prize. As well as failing to assist in the production of a promotional video, she says Miss Ireland organizers also failed to impress the judges with their costume choices for the brunette beauty.

“I was told at the end that the video really let me down, that it was meant to be professional.

“Then I learned that my wardrobe let me down too, which is completely what the Miss Ireland organisers chose. My dress at Miss World was also made by [Miss Ireland organiser] Brendan Scully and I was told that all the judges hated my dress,’ she told the Daily Mail.

Miss World 2012 will be in Ordos, Inner Mongolia China.
 
SOURCE: Irishcentral.com, 5/8/2012