Family crest causes Rose of Tralee conspiracy furore

The Rose of Tralee was yesterday caught up in a controversy, complete with conspiracy theories that threatened to ruin the contest’s innocent allure.

But before any fans become disillusioned by the thought they have been duped all these years, the annual festival’s organisers insisted the issue is all just one big misunderstanding.

In a rare moment of genuine shock for the long-running show, the morning after the night Texas Rose Haley O’Sullivan was named the 2013 winner, accusations emerged as to when exactly the decision to crown her was really made.