Suad Mooge, born in Sligo and raised in Dublin has experienced racist abuse online after winning her title.
The 25 year old is set to be representing Dublin at the Rose of Tralee in August. Speaking with Kieran Cuddihy on RTÉ Radio 1 Liveline yesterday afternoon, she said that she was shocked but unfortunatley "not surprised" by the hateful, racist comments made online.
“It’s just been a lot of ‘you’re not Irish’, and a lot of mentions about skin tone and religion, I’m shocked, but I’m not surprised," the 25 year old medical scientist said.
She explained that it was "part of the experience" of growing up in Ireland as a person of colour.
Mooge included in the interview that she does not feel like she needs to prove her irishness. “I know I’m Irish, and I know myself. I don’t have to prove to anyone how Irish I am. It’s a very small group of people who are just very loud. I know that it’s just a very small group, it’s just reminding myself this does not represent Ireland. This does not represent people’s opinions. It’s just a very small, loud group of people with a lot of time on their hands and just putting a lot of hate out there," she said.
The Dublin Rose told Cuddihy that the reaction she received online revealed that "change is needed" and that she is grateful to be "at the forefront of this and to represent other communities."
"This does not represent Ireland, this does not represent people's opinions. It's just a very small, loud group of people with a lot of time on their hands and just putting a lot of hate out there. As long as I know myself that I'm Irish, I'm very confident and secure in that fact," Mooge said.
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