Flood sorry for Miss Ireland stripped of crown

Former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood has commiserated with Máire Hughes after she (Hughes) was stripped of the title over a rule on the age limit for entrants.

At almost 26, Hughes was deemed not to fit the age criteria for the competition and was forced to hand back the crown she won last weekend.

Pamela Flood went on to enjoy a successful career in TV presenting and modelling after winning the contest in 1993.

"My heart goes out to (Máire)…I feel so sorry for her, to win something and have it snatched away," she said.

Flood also said the age limit on entries should be raised from 24 to 30.