Rose of Tralee organisers have called the cutlery showcased on Monday's programme featuring the name and crest of this year's winning Rose a "coincidence".
Texas Rose Haley O'Sullivan was announced as the 54th Rose of Tralee on Tuesday night but her name and family crest had earlier appeared on one of the Escort of the Year prizes showcased on Monday.
Several conspiracy theorists chimed in on Twitter:
@jonathanhealy I know for county heats the dession is made before live interviews. Which is bit stupid
— paudy o brien (@paudy67) August 21, 2013
@jonathanhealy Hmmm. And yet they said exactly the same thing last year when Colleen Acmecatering won. Hmmmm
— Annie West (@anniewestdotcom) August 21, 2013
Jerry O'Sullivan from Radio Kerry told Newstalk Lunchtime that Newbridge Silverware, who produces the cutlery, commonly engraves family names and crests on silverware.
He put the conspiracy to rest by clarifying that the cutlery was not part of the winning Rose's prize, but the Escort of the Year, whose name is Johnny McGaily.
@jerosullivanRK debunks #rot conspiracy, pointing out family crest on Monday cutlery was wrong for winner #crestfallen #thornysubject
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) August 21, 2013
While Bookmaker Paddy Power says there was no significant money put down on Haley.
