Who'd have thought - Repealing The Eighth and Fathers 4 Justice were the big issues at the Rose of Tralee

It was an eventful evening in the Dome but it was the forthright views of the Sydney Rose and a protest by a man dressed as a priest that generated the most buzz during the opening night of the Rose of Tralee.

Tue, 23 Aug, 2016 - 01:00

Ciara Flaherty

Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins received applause from the audience when she stated her support for a referendum repealing the eight amendment during her interview with Daithí Ó Sé.

Brianna, a journalist for ABC News, spoke about her work with domestic violence charities in Australia and the lack of funding for shelters. She then went on to say that there also was more work to do on women’s rights in Ireland:

"I think it’s time to give women a say over their reproductive rights. I would love to see a referendum on the eighth amendment come up soon. That would be my dream."

Which isn’t the usual Rose of Tralee chat but the moment garnered widespread praise online.

From RTE+1 just now @parkinsbrea - hear the applause at the end #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/0kEH90B0BT
— Suzy Byrne (@suzybie) August 22, 2016

BOOM! The Lovely Girls competition gets real! https://t.co/t0MehYxQqF
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) August 23, 2016

#sydneyrose is now trending in Ireland https://t.co/lnn4sECpiy
— Trendsmap Ireland (@TrendsIreland) August 22, 2016

If the Sydney rose doesn't win I'm gonna write a letter #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/oPH4gQ05I3
— Laura Thompson (@LazaThompo) August 22, 2016

Ha! The Sydney Rose has covered all the hot topics repeal the 8th , the poem ban AND lovely bottoms! #RoseofTralee
— Clare keeping her mask on 😷 Barrett (@CBumble) August 22, 2016

The organisers are currently sending the Sydney Rose back in her time machine, to the future where she so clearly belongs. #RoseofTralee
— John Banville (@John_Banville) August 22, 2016

Cork Rose Denise Collins confirmed to 96FM this morning that the Roses were asked about their views on the 8th Amendment in their private interviews.

And Brianna thanked everyone for their support, saying the response had been overwhelming.

I'll take them all ! I'm overwhelmed by the response thanks for the support
— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) August 23, 2016

Thanks for the all the support #SydneyRose #RoseofTralee #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/zqK0XPkJ34
— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) August 23, 2016

Despite some tweets saying that RTÉ had edited out her statement from their online coverage, it’s available to watch here.

Earlier in the night, a man dressed in a priest outfit gatecrashed the stage holding a poster that read "In the name of the father".

The man is allegedly part of the Fathers 4 Justice campaign, a UK-based group which seeks to give equal rights to fathers after divorce, and was shouting "fathers for justice".